Requirement

The development of Guildhall Square in Sandwich, Kent began in February 2023 and was completed that summer. The square hosts a market every Thursday morning, during which light traffic moves over the slabs and cobbles to set up and take down the market stalls, so resilient paving was essential.

Solution

The paving was laid on a stiff base of compacted MOT Type 3 and tuffbed 2-pack bedding mortar with mesh reinforcement to ensure a long-lasting and sturdy foundation for the new square’s paving.

This Bound System A construction method significantly reduces the embodied carbon of a pavement structure by removing the concrete base and using Steintec’s reduced carbon bedding mortar whilst achieving a sustainable structure which has all of the durability and longevity benefits of high-performance bound pavement construction.

The cobbles at the centre of the square were jointed with tufftop jointing mortar, making them bound together and easier for everyone to walk on, according to reports from locals.

The development of the Guildhall Square also included new features such as improved seating, tree planting and lighting.

Outcome

Dover District Council (DDC), which was behind the scheme in partnership with Kent County Council (KCC), says the “project will be the focal point for the local community and positively enhance the public realm, creating better access and the potential for increased footfall”.

Images supplied by Aesir Construction Ltd.