Permeable paving has been designed to replicate natural drainage patterns and was first designed in Germany and is widely used for pavements.

Permeable paving is an environmentally friendly paving product which has high surface water absorption and helps to recharge the natural groundwater.

By adding extra space between the blocks and filling them with a 6mm aggregate this allows the water to flow at an optimal rate and has several advantages, these are

  1. Acts as a water infiltration
  2. Provides water for trees and plants
  3. Reduction of puddles
  4. No hazards to wildlife in any way
  5. 20 year design life span
  6. Lessens the load on drainage systems

One particular use for this paving is when used near trees and planting the roots can be maintained, but it is essential that when this is the case that a suitable edging has been laid to prevent clogging so the effectiveness of the product is not impaired and one other fact to bear in mind is that the product if possible is not laid totally in the shade as this will increase the growth of moss is joints and again decrease the effectiveness of the blocks.

This type of paving is suitable for residential, commercial and industrial sites and is especially popular for car parks and roads and can also be used for areas used by heavy good vehicles.

An example of a project we have completed using Permeable paving is at the EDF site at Trowse, Norwich. A brief description of how the work was carried out.

  1. We excavated a total depth of 830mm
  2. Rolled the sub base
  3. Laid a geotextile membrane
  4. Clean rock at 75 / 25 in layers of 150mm at a time was laid and rolled until a depth of 550mm was reached
  5. 150mm of 20 / 6mm rock was laid and rolled
  6. 50mm bed of 6mm clean rock was laid on top
  7. 80mm permeable paving was laid on top
  8. The area was then compacted using a 3mm chip.

We have tested a 32ton HGV vehicle on the area and can confirm that no movement was seen to the sub base so can advise our method of laying this material will be suitable for the use of Heavy good vehicles.