Built for client West Kent NHS, the new car park increased the hospital’s capacity by 40 spaces to accommodate more outpatient appointments. As the new parking spaces were to be built on a steeply sloping site, as well as being built around protected trees, the complex project required Provian to utilise its vast experience of environmentally friendly and sympathetic construction works.
To accommodate and negate the sloping ground, Provian used a series of Gabion basket retaining walls. Standing up to 4m high these were filled with locally sourced ragstone, ranging in size from 125mm – 200mm, to provide an aesthetically appealing method to create both stability and reinforcement around the car park edge.
A key aspect of the project was the protection of a number of mature trees during the construction process. Provian was able to deliver the full 40 space specification whilst also retaining the protected trees by creating the car park in an irregular shape.
Due to the unique requirements of the project, Provian incorporated the considerable use of Cellweb™ – a three-dimensional cellular confinement system that is manufactured from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) strips. These strips are ultrasonically welded together to create a strong, lightweight expandable panel that was used to provide both tree root protection and a pavement foundation and drainage. It can also be used for ground stabilisation, slope protection and retaining walls.
With no positive drainage system, all finishes applied by Provian were porous including macadam paving for the full 40 space car park specification as well as circulation areas. Porous macadam provides a hard wearing and durable surface and requires minimal maintenance throughout its life cycle.
Ancillary works on the project included the installation of post and rail fencing, all soft landscaping works and a series of LED illuminating columns, with SMART control sensors to provide a well-lit and welcoming car park facility.
“I was absolutely delighted with the outcome,” said Mark Shepperd, Director of Operations for Children & Young People at Kent Community Health NHS Trust. “It seems strange to describe a Car Park as ‘beautiful’ but it is. The landscaping is fantastic, excellent preservation of trees and it blends well with the local countryside yet is fit for purpose.”
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