Advice on suitable surface please?

[CMW]

I have widened the entrance gates to my house from 12 feet to 24 feet (two double 12 foot field gates), as I need to get an 18 tonne 40 foot long rigid in and out I use for motorsport. The substrate is done and edges put in to give the levels. the substrate is 12 inches of whacked MOT. The initial thought was PIC concrete at 5 inches thick. The rest of the drive's tarmac on a really substantial base. I have run 32 tonne wagons on it in summer with no problems. What are your suggestions for something fairly decorative that will either contrast or blend with the existing tarmac drive? I'll link to some photos later, showing the current state of play. Thanks, great site and forum!

[msh paving]

I would forget PIC,it wont take a lorry scuffing it up, what about 80mm block paving which will take a lorry no probs or a 80mm chelsea sett's or simmilar MSH

[CMW]

Forgot to add that this truck will only go in and out about once or twice a month, and "normal" vehicular traffic will be a couple or three cars each day that won't even go over the new stuff. Anyway, some pics are at http://www.chriswilson.tv/gates/gates.html Thanks for the replies. I was wondering if you could embed round stones, the sort of things you see embedded in walls of houses at the seaside, like Lytham St.Annes, in the concrete, to give a fancy effect? I am hoping to use concrete that is dyed throughout a slate sort of grey for the pour.

[Dave_L]

Flash it over with 60/35mm binder/10mm SMA tarmac after knocking off the top of that exiting [old] edger line. 10mm SMA as you are running heavies over it.

[lutonlagerlout]

agree 100% with dave
if you want summat flash plant a cedar in the front garden or get a flint wall built
that 1 lorry a month will wreck any fancy concrete you put down
LLL

[Big Phil]

agree with the 10mm SMA, and many suppliers offer binder additives to enhance performance under severe traffic stresses. just bear in mind that your asphalt will look kinda 'industrial' as opposed to many regular driveways as your surfacing needs to be tough enough to take your vehicle.

[GB_Groundworks]

we've got cobbles on ours, proper duck stone big heavy jobs bedded on 150mm concrete base, stand up to everything we throw at them. 2-3 30 ton lorries a week, 6-22 ton excavators tracking over them, tractors and dump trailers all in their stride. but expensive but pointed with a dark mortar looked great. well up north they do anyway haha.

argh your only doing the gateway not the whole drive, then i'd go with the cobbles or the 80mm block. will look ok, looking at last photo http://www.chriswilson.tv/gates/DSC07258.html looks like there is only 4 dops of concrete behind those edgers? and i'd shift that dirt from around those trees with newly cut limbs.

just on a side note did you get planing permission, as any alterations do require permission, and its a lot of hassle with visibilty splays each side etc.



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1243414626

[CMW]

I intend back filling the edging to match that down the drive, with 8 inches of concrete the full depth of the edgings, it's just down to get the levels right now. These blocks sound interesting, where would I find photos and purchase these? Do they come in different colours?

Planning permission? Why, of course... We haven't altered the entry into the road itself, that width and position hasn't changed, I think we are safe there.

Thanks for the ideas fellas'

[Dave_L]

agree with the 10mm SMA, and many suppliers offer binder additives to enhance performance under severe traffic stresses. just bear in mind that your asphalt will look kinda 'industrial' as opposed to many regular driveways as your surfacing needs to be tough enough to take your vehicle.

lol - 50pen 10mm SMA, "Black Concrete" as I call it!

You can be scragging tri-axle trailers over it 3hrs after it has been laid, with no damage/marking. Awesome stuff but you don't wanna be hand laying it!

[CMW]

Would anyone be interested in laying such a piddling bit of "Black Concrete" though? This was the reason I dismissed asphalt as I felt no one competent would want to be bothered? Cheers.

[Dave_L]

Local blacktop contractor would be willing to do the job, surely?

OK, it's only small works, but it can surely be a job that can be put together with other small jobs in the locality. That's what we do - get 2-3 drop kerbs/drives ready then have a 20t split load and relaod the splits onto our wagons - it's the only way it makes financial sense.

We're in Somerset, Chris.......:rock: