Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:31 am
Hi
I am about to install a new access drive or track through a woodland (SSSI) to my house, which is required to have minimal impact on the environment. I have a few questions which I am sure someone can help me with, and I welcome any other comments on the unusual design.
The idea is to construct the track using a sub base of compacted chalk over a geo-textile membrane, with 2600x250x150 untreated hardwood railway sleepers laid flat and bedded on 20mm pea shingle. The sleepers will be spaced 150mm apart, with 20mm pea shingle in between. The sleepers will form the surface along with the pea shingle in the gaps. More sleepers will be laid as shallow kerbs. The bell mouth area adjoining the road is to be surfaced with bound washed gravel with 2 or 3 rows of granite setts and then a strip of tarmac joining the tarmac carriageway. The track is about 80m long. The construction is to be done with extreme care and minimal disruption to the adjacent woodland.
The track will have normal domestic use, apart from next year when I am planning to rebuild my house, so there will be some heavy traffic coming and going for a time.
Some of my concerns are:
1.Will chalk be suitable for the sub-base and what thickness should it be?
2.Is 20mm pea shingle the right choice?
3.Will the sleepers get slippery?
4.Will the surface stay flat, or will it be like driving over a cattle grid?
5.Is 2.6m wide enough for occasional hgvs?
6.How do I find the right contractor for the job?
Thanks in advance
I am about to install a new access drive or track through a woodland (SSSI) to my house, which is required to have minimal impact on the environment. I have a few questions which I am sure someone can help me with, and I welcome any other comments on the unusual design.
The idea is to construct the track using a sub base of compacted chalk over a geo-textile membrane, with 2600x250x150 untreated hardwood railway sleepers laid flat and bedded on 20mm pea shingle. The sleepers will be spaced 150mm apart, with 20mm pea shingle in between. The sleepers will form the surface along with the pea shingle in the gaps. More sleepers will be laid as shallow kerbs. The bell mouth area adjoining the road is to be surfaced with bound washed gravel with 2 or 3 rows of granite setts and then a strip of tarmac joining the tarmac carriageway. The track is about 80m long. The construction is to be done with extreme care and minimal disruption to the adjacent woodland.
The track will have normal domestic use, apart from next year when I am planning to rebuild my house, so there will be some heavy traffic coming and going for a time.
Some of my concerns are:
1.Will chalk be suitable for the sub-base and what thickness should it be?
2.Is 20mm pea shingle the right choice?
3.Will the sleepers get slippery?
4.Will the surface stay flat, or will it be like driving over a cattle grid?
5.Is 2.6m wide enough for occasional hgvs?
6.How do I find the right contractor for the job?
Thanks in advance