Council decision minimises commuter inconvenience

Problematical loose cobbles were removed, cleaned, re-located and secured with Flowpoint, proving very cost-effective by reducing a potential multi thousand pound scheme by more than 90%.

Important decisions, taken by Kirklees Council and involving the renovation of loose cobbled surfacing in and around Huddersfield railway station, has paid off handsomely both in project cost reductions and minimal commuter inconvenience.

The Council was looking for a quick and cost effective solution to make safe more than 100 square metres of the paved St.

Georges Square that had become loose over the past ten to fifteen years.

Claims, resulting from the general public tripping over the loose cobbles, were becoming increasingly common.

The option of removing the cobbles and replacing them with tarmacadam was costed at around £200,000.

In addition, it was imperative that the area was not closed for too long a period and blacktop resurfacing would have proved a problem due to its long-winded curing time.

Instead, after becoming aware of Flowpoint following a streetworks conference, the Council decided that the one part, flowable, shrinkage compensated grout, manufactured by Tamworth based Instarmac Group plc would prove ideal for the job.

Ultimately, the product conferred the same results and proved very cost-effective; reducing a potential multi thousand pound scheme by more than 90%.

The problematical loose cobbles were simply removed, cleaned, re-located and secured with Flowpoint.

Flowpoint, which is simply mixed with water on site and poured between the joints of each cobble, ensured the job was completed with the minimum of fuss and importantly, very quickly.

Flowpoint's adhesion and fast setting properties are renowned.

It bonds strongly, without the need for priming and once fully cured provides a very hard wearing finish.

It sets initially within 30 minutes at 20ºC and develops a compressive strength of 10N/mm² after 24 hours and 25N/mm² within 7 days.

The Council was able to cone off large areas, replace the cobbles, pour the material and return the zone to public trafficking within just 4 to 6 hours.

Geof Thorp, of Kirklees Council commented "From the initial visit to the end of the project, Instarmac's service was excellent.

We trialed a number of these products on small areas prior to choosing Flowpoint and in the end, realised the material had a far superior setting value to the alternatives.

We have since bought more material to reinstate setts in the road leading to Batley train station", he added.

I would certainly recommend Flowpoint to any organisation that has to maintain large areas of cobbles and or setts in publicly accessible areas.

The material was easy to use and allowed us to covere large expanses in a short time period".

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