Golden Amber Footpath Gravel Laying Instructions
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Golden Amber footpath Gravel is a natural material quarried from selected limestone and graded approximately 12mm (1/2") to fines, the fines content being a naturally occurring marl which acts as the self setting agent when the material is watered and rolled to a satisfactory compaction in the manner described in the following laying instructions.
Golden Amber Footpath Gravel has a recommended finished compacted thickness of 50mm approximate coverage 10m2 per tonne.
It is recommended that Golden Amber Footpath Gravel be laid on a well-consolidated crushed rock foundation and we recommend a Ministry of Transport Granular Sub Base Type 1.
(a) It should be sufficient strength and stability to carry the proposed traffic, and (b) the area concerned should be porous enough to ensure that water is not held directly in or immediately below the gravel.
The foundation should be laid and rolled with a roller of suitable weight, i.e. minimum of 1.5 tonne for footway and similar works, and minimum 2.5 tonne for car parks etc. Gravel is then laid and rolled DRY and rolled to fullest compaction. After the initial laying to cambers and falls, it is probable that odd "scabby" areas will be evident where segregation has occurred. "Fines" can be sieved from the main heap of material and used to bind these segregated areas.
When a uniform appearance has been achieved, the second stage can be undertaken. This is the water rolling of the gravel before which the rollers vibratory action must be switched off. Water should be sprayed or sprinkled on the wheels of the roller and never directly on the material since this would tend to wash out the surface fines. The object of water rolling this material is to float sufficient fines to the top surface of the gravel and obtain a well-bonded finish.
Because the material depends entirely on its own binding properties for its stability, it is obviously better not to lay Golden Amber Footpath Gravel on steep slopes where the angle of fall is greater than 1-15. In parkland and similar schemes, long continuous fall over sloping ground can be minimised by the formation of steps at regular intervals, thus reducing the risk of ruts occurring through the action of flowing storm water.
Should maintenance work be necessary, it is advisable in the case of "pot holes" occurring, to cut out the affected areas to a neat edge and replace completely with new gravel. In the event of resurfacing at a later date, the top of the gravel surface should be scarified to a depth of 25mm (1") and thereon a layer of new Golden Amber Footpath Gravel laid, rolled and water rolled to new falls and cambers.
Many uses are: Pathways, Residential, Driveways, Leisure & Recreational, Car Parks, Historical & Specialist and Bridleways.
Issue Date : 27 May 2005
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