The environmentalist’s guide to paving

There is no doubting the significance of the role that paving has played in our history and the importance of the role it continues to play today. It is however more important now than ever to consider the environmental implications for this industry.

Sourcing the Stone

There are a number of environmental and ethical issues to consider when buying pavement stone that has been imported from some of the developing nations. Take Indian sandstone for example – popular because of its quality and price, it is quite often quarried by children as young as ten, working in very poor and inhumane conditions.

This is before considering the environmental impact of spoiling the landscape through illegal dumping, polluted groundwater, and the significant energy consumption of transporting the stone half way around the world.

When buying paving it really is worth taking the time to research how and where the stone was sourced before making a decision about whether to use it.

Getting the Right Balance

It isn’t just the extraction site that becomes damaged – heavily concreted areas don’t support wildlife and often result in vegetation being removed. This prevents water from seeping into the soil naturally and recharging groundwater supplies. Paved surfaces also increase the speed and amount of water that rushes down gutters and into storm drains during a rain storm which can lead to flooding.

Allowing for some vegetation, planting some trees or plants and having some green areas where possible is a simple and effective solution to this. By using permeable paving blocks and permeable grass grids for hard standings you can reduce the environmental damage when paving over an area.

Like most environmental issues when it comes to paving it’s all about having the right information in order to make informed choices.

Bomax carry out rigorous checks to ensure that all of our materials and products are sourced ethically.

From cobbles to flags: The evolution of street surfaces

The history of our streets and how they have evolved is a subject of great fascination. People, buildings, roads and surfaces change over time and with it the look and fabric of the community. The streets we live in provide the backdrop to our daily lives and really make a statement about the area we inhabit.

Cobblestone curiosities

In Victorian times cobbled streets were part of the fabric of our towns and cities throughout the UK. Dickens novels depict scenes set among narrow cobblestone streets in densely populated areas, lined with tenement blocks and crowds of people. Today cobbled streets have an iconic status in the hearts of the British.

The word cobblestone comes from the English word cob which is used to describe small, round lumpen shaped items. These stones were known as cobbles and their shape and durability made them perfect to construct roads with.

Cobblestones were first used to build roads back in the early part of the 15th century, traditionally set in sand and sometimes bound in water. They offered many advantages as they did not develop ruts or get muddy like dirt roads. They made for extremely durable surfaces and weren’t prone to cracking in freezing conditions.

Fashionable Commercial flags

As new building techniques and materials became available cobbled stones began to fall out of favour. Granite setts, or Belgian block became the stone of choice, with its rectangular shape and smooth surface making it ideal for creating patterns that are aesthetically pleasing.

Today granite setts, sometimes called ‘commercial paving’ or ‘commercial flags’, are ubiquitous in towns and cities throughout the UK. Popular in parks, driveways and town centres where they are framed by kerbs, their versatility and design potential make them an ideal stone to use for street surfaces.

With a choice of finishes, colours and sizes it is easy to see why this stone became so popular. From a design point of view it is pleasing to the eye and nothing brightens up a tired old street like the arrival of a new surface.

Traditionally sourced from various parts of the UK including York, Gloucestershire, Wales and Aberdeen, increasingly we are beginning to see stone imported from more exotic parts of the world including India and China.

Flag stones can be bought either as new or reclaimed depending on the effect and look you are trying to achieve. More traditional type cobblestones also still have a place in modern Britain and are commonly used in restoration projects.

Top five European cities for cyclists

Cities are not always the most bicycle friendly environments. In fact, it is probably fair to say that in the past cities and cycling simply didn’t work together. However, with green issues becoming ever more relevant and the future of our planet at stake, many European cities have prioritised cycle lanes to make their centres more hospitable to cyclists. Bomax offers cycle lane solutions that are cost effective

1. Copenhagen

Cycle lanes will take you wherever you want to go in the Danish capital. The Dronning Louises Bro is a bridge that traverses the lake to the north of the city and has more than 35,000 bicycles cross it each day, making it the busiest bicycle street in the western world. The area is full of attractions and shops and to really see the city just go with the bike flow.

2. Barcelona

Although a very busy city, the provision of excellent stretches of cycle lanes make Barcelona a very safe place to explore on two wheels. For €16 a day you can rent out a bicycle, see some of the great cityscapes and enjoy all the shops and restaurants this Catalan city has to offer. Before you make your way to the beach, check out the old fisherman’s neighbourhood of Barceloneta.

3. Amsterdam

Perhaps unsurprisingly the Dutch capital is one of the most bicycle friendly cities in Europe, with cycle path generally separated from the pedestrian pavement by kerbs or an area of vegetation. Cycling is an extremely popular mode of transport around the city, but it is also well worth taking a ride outside the city where you will see some stunning landscapes and of course a variety of windmills.

4. Paris

Cycling is very popular with Parisians and many of them use bicycles to commute to work. Like all major European cities, much consideration has been given to cycle lanes with properly enforced kerbs for safety. Take a cycle along the bank of the river Seine and through the trendy Marais district, stopping off for an espresso and a pastry in one of its cafés. There really is no better way to experience Paris.

5. London

One of the world’s true cosmopolitan cities, London has really adopted the bicycle as its own in recent times. The famous Boris bikes are now a familiar sight throughout the streets of the capital. London has given much thought and planning to cycle lanes as a means of beating congestion and as a result, everyone from city traders to east end hipsters have fallen in love with the bicycle.

Kerb comparisons: Granite kerbs vs. concrete kerbs

There are many different types of road kerbs used in Britain today. An unsung hero, the humble kerb carries out a number of important duties on our streets and motorways. They retain the carriageway edge to prevent ‘spreading,’ and they also act as a barrier between road traffic and pedestrians or verges.

Granite kerbs

As a natural stone, granite kerbs usually tend to be more expensive than precast concrete kerbs. Whilst kerb stones that are specifically manufactured to do the job in hand are measured to a specific length and style, older kerbs – some of which have given over 100 years service – do not necessarily match this standard profile. This means replacing or repairing them can cause problems.

However the granite Kassel kerb is the natural equivalent of the standard concrete Kassel kerb – a unique, no-gap bus stop kerb for safe and easy passenger access – and is the perfect solution for use in conservation areas or where there is repair work needed for existing granite kerbs or pavements.

A natural stone granite is extremely durable, aesthetically pleasing, and is sensitive to its environment. Recreating the beauty of this natural stone is not easy.

Concrete kerbs

Precast concrete kerbs are now more commonly used due to their durability and cost. They can be manufactured to specific requirements meaning they can be tailor made to suit a particular job. They are easily shaped and moulded and come mostly in a clean and aesthetically pleasing grey. You can get more decorative colours but these are more expensive and are generally only used in prestige and ‘heritage’ schemes.

The evolution of concrete kerbs continues apace – for example a new generation of concrete kerbs know as scan kerb has recently entered the market. A ‘stick down’ kerb that is cost-effective, easy to install and reduces noise and dust contamination, it is set to take the industry by storm.

The argument between granite and concrete kerbs could really be characterised as an argument about old versus new, vintage versus modern or retro versus contemporary. They each have their own merits and advantages, and it really does come down to the individual job they’re required for.

The Relationship Between Wheelchairs and Dropped Kerbs

Have you ever taken a good look at the kerbs in your area? It’s not the most obvious things people notice when walking down the street., but it is very important, especially to those in wheelchairs.

I’ll tell you a little bit about dropped kerbs and why they’re so important.

Dropped kerbs are wheelchair friendly

In Bournemouth, locals had realised that there was a danger to mobility scooter users due to the lack of dropped kerbs. Despite having to fight for the dropped kerbs to be implemented on the streets in the St. Leonards area, the Highways agency finally had to follow through with the request., and build dropped kerbs in areas where they were most needed.

The relationship between wheelchairs and dropped kerbs is more significant than meets the ground. Dropped kerbs also allow wheelchair and mobility scooter users to board a bus or car with more ease.

Any problems that have been reported to the local council, should be taken a look at.  The area should be assessed to see whether or not there is a lack of dropped kerbs.

It is important to understand that heightened kerbs, or even poor standard kerbs can put lives at risk unnecessarily, so if there is a kerb issue that needs to be addressed, it should be done so without delay, so that people are not complaining, and addressing the issue before the council does, like in this report on fixmystreet.com.

Did you know, it is a parking contravention to park adjacent to a dropped kerb at any time? And, if you’re caught contravening, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice of £130.

Keeping dropped kerbs clear from obstruction means that they can be used by people they are designed for- wheelchair users, prams and mobility scooters. It is not fair then if someone parks next to a dropped kerb, stopping people from making use of the dropped kerb there for their benefit and safety.