Repairs of the cobbles in Ulverston

It's been announced that work will begin on repairing the cobbles in Market Street this next Monday in what is called a £100,000 revamp.

But will we be happy with the result?

I doubt it - rather it will be regarded as an opportunity missed as large sections of the street will be left untouched and only part of the problem dealt with.

Furthermore we will be apprehensive about the quality of the work done and the materials used.


I went out this morning and made this video to give past information on this topic.



Last year I briefed County Cllr James Airey on my views of what should be done.

The information I gave was based on the numerous communications I've had with United Utilities, the Highways Department of CCC and information shared by the engineers at Preston as to how they repair and install cobbles (or Setts) in their city. Both United Utilities and the People at Preston have been most helpful.

I'm having a meeting with James Airey this next Tuesday as previous attempts to get together have failed.

I hope to be able to report back on what and how the work is to be carried out. I shall be watching with great interest!

Here is the helpful information I was sent from Preston in 2008 (which was passed on the James Airey).

Preston clearly take great care in supervising the work done by contractors.

Will CCC show the same degree of dilegence?

Their supervision of the work done by contractors in the past has been appalling. With a change at the top of the local department of highways and close monitoring from our new councillors - will we achieve quality work and value for money? . . . .

I hope that CCC will enforce high standards and be using Ultracrete Flowpoint to seal between the cobbles as recommended below:


From: "Ohanlon, Peter"
Sent: Wednesday, 8 October, 2008 13:35:08
Subject: Reinstatement of setts

Reinstatement of setts.
 
Dear Mr. Dellow,
                        Your e-mail was finally sent to me as I deal with all the utility reinstatements in the Preston area.
 
Appearances in Preston may be deceptive, because it is a constant battle with the utilities to achieve a satisfactory standard to sett reinstatements after excavations. It is obvious that the utilities do not have street masons trained to a sufficient degree to reinstate setts correctly. It is therefore a matter of constant supervision of the method used by the reinstators to ensure:
 
a)       that they are aware of the correct method of reconstruction
b)       that they follow the existing bonding / pattern as required
c)       that they use the correct type of sett (size, colour, material )
d)       that they follow the correct method of pointing the setts with the correct colour of ultracrete flowpoint.

In many cases, if we have not been present to ensure the required standard is adhered to, the setts have to be broken out and relaid in the correct manner. This is repeated until the setts are satisfactory. Very rarely are they satisfactory in the first instance.

The most recent setts reinstatement that I have dealt with was a utility trench 60m. long x 1.5m. wide. Despite my efforts to explain how to relay this trench I had to insist on it being re-laid four times until it was satisfactory. This was over a period of 6 months but the end result was worth the perseverance. Eventually the sub – contractor employed two operatives who were experienced in laying setts and with supervision and explanation they were able to finally achieve a satisfactory result. They were also given the time to do the work correctly; being paid on ‘day rate’ rather than on a price per m2. ( As were the the previous operatives ). Laying setts is a time consuming operation which cannot be rushed if a good result is required. Too often the reinstator / sub-contractor allows unqualified and inexperienced operatives to try to relay the setts hoping that their work will be satisfactory enough for them to “ get away with it “.

Technically we use the LCC Standard Details for Highway Works for the laying of setts. This involves using 100 – 150mm of lean mix concrete then a 25mm. layer of sand/cement mortar. One innovation that has been introduced is that we require the joints to be filled for at least a 50mm. depth, from the top of the sett, with a product called Ultracrete Flowpoint. This is a pre-mixed dry grout that only requires the addition of water on site.. This can then be poured neatly into the joints. It is a rapid setting grout that allows for early trafficking of the road, has exceptional bond strength and has built-in shrinkage compensation. It also dispenses with the need of using a bitumen sealant to the surface of the joints. We now specify the use of Flowpoint on all sett paving in Preston .

I hope this information is of use to you and if I can be of any further help or if you have any further queries please contact me by e-mail.

                        Regards,

                                    Peter O’Hanlon

                                    Senior Technician

                                    Street Works

                                    LCC. Preston Area