10.2 Footway paving. Maintenance
Traditional paving slabs in better quality urban streets were
often a lime stone, such as York stone.
If this is considered too expensive, a similar large scale can
be achieved by using concrete slabs.
They are usually laid on a sand base, which is satisfactory
for foot traffic. But if heavy vehicles drive over the pavement,
the sand base, especially if it has washed away, does not give
the slabs sufficient support and so the slabs break.
To prevent this, bollards are sometimes put along the pavement
edge to protect it. But the bollards reduce the width of the
pavement.
Concrete strips can withstand the extra weight, but break up
the visual continuity of the pavement.
A strengthened base of concrete, under the vulnerable slabs,
give the slabs better support.
Alternatively, steel reinforced slabs can be used at the edge
of the pavement, continuing the layout pattern of the other slabs,
to give the appearance of a uniform neat surface.
Traditional York stone pavement
Large concrete slabs
Bollards at pavement edge
Concrete base under edge slabs
Strengthened slabs continuing layout pattern benefit
from a concrete strip at pavement edge
Special sites will suit other surface materials
