Posts by Tom_Hodson
Transforming Paving with Concrete Block Permeable Overlays
Low-intervention permeable paving overlays can transform worn-out paving and deliver SuDS, green infrastructure and healthy streets. To understand how, it’s worth reminding ourselves of the unique characteristics and attributes of modular concrete paving generally. Concrete Block Paving This long-established technology is based on high-strength, interlocking units installed with granular material filled joints and laying course.…
Read MorePlanning Requirements for Trees
Extensive new tree planting with provision for long-term maintenance is now a requirement for developments, with new government policies taking effect. Concrete block permeable paving offers an important opportunity to help satisfy these requirements with minimal maintenance requirements over the long-term. The 2021 ‘National Planning Policy Framework’ (NPPF) states: ‘Planning policies and decisions should ensure…
Read MoreRedefining the Post-pandemic Public Realm
The pandemic has heralded a fundamental rethink of our public realm showing that a fresh approach is needed to designing the spaces between buildings with multifunctional and long-life but adaptable solutions, ready to meet climate change requirements. Apart from temporary measures for social distancing, the pandemic has accelerated implementation of issues raised in the past…
Read MorePermeable Paving and Street Trees in Harmony
A new case study highlights the impact of concrete block permeable paving as an irrigation source, sustaining street trees and green infrastructure. The award-winning Bridget Joyce Square in Australia Road, White City, London, is a sustainable drainage (SuDS) park with community at its heart and an exemplar for future urban landscapes. The scheme won ‘Winner…
Read MoreBridget Joyce Square, Australia Road, London
The second edition of this case study highlights the impact of concrete block permeable paving as an irrigation source, sustaining street trees and green infrastructure, following a site visit some 5-years after completion. Its low-intervention, thin overlay technology enables sustainable reuse of conventional road bases and their embodied carbon, creating attractive, safe shared-surfaces. Capturing rainwater…
Read MoreBS 7533-101:2021 – Designing modular paving to last
Interpave encourages all those involved with modular pavement design, construction and maintenance to join a BSI hosted webinar on 20th October, from 10.00 to 12.30, for updates on important changes to the BS 7533 series of standards, as well as paving design and materials. For ease of use, the stone, concrete and other specialist paving…
Read MorePermeable Paving Helps Meet New Planning Requirements for Trees
Extensive urban tree planting and retention of existing trees, with provision for long-term maintenance, has just become a priority with new government policies taking effect. Concrete block permeable paving offers an important opportunity to help satisfy these requirements with irrigation, integrated with SuDS, hard surfaces and urban design. The latest requirements for street trees have…
Read MoreCase Study Published
Interpave’s latest case study re-visits the Martlesham Park & Ride project in Suffolk. Following 17-years of continuous use, it assesses the long-term performance of concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) and also its important benefits for urban trees. Completed in 2003, the project utilised 14,000 m2 of CBPP for circulation, parking and pedestrian areas. It was one of…
Read MoreMartlesham Park & Ride Suffolk
This project re-visit after 17-years continuous use assesses the long-term performance of permeable paving and its important benefits for urban trees. It was one of three older projects where field tests were undertaken by an Interpave member which demonstrated that, despite receiving no specific maintenance to improve permeability, concrete block permeable paving still provided infiltration…
Read MorePermeable Paving for Trees
A video interview with the original designer of Martlesham Park and Ride, Suffolk – one of the projects involved in the recent trials discussed in our Latest Post – reveals major benefits of concrete block permeable paving (CBPP) for trees and other green infrastructure. Constructed in 2003, this large out-of-town car park receives regular daily…
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