Ultrascape provides ideal for historic Durham thoroughfare

Durham County Council commissioned a facelift of their historic Bow Lane using the renowned Ultrascape mortar paving system.

Bow Lane is an important historic thoroughfare to Durham Cathedral and a council-commissioned facelift required the river cobbles and stone paving to be re-laid, along with the addition of kerbs and paving stones at the bottom of the lane.

Ultrascape Pro-Bed HS, Pro-Prime and Flowpoint were all used on this project. These products make up Ultrascape's mortar paving system that meets and exceeds the strict demands of BS 7533. This standard offers the reassurance of being independently tested by a UKAS accredited laboratory which verifies the products' capabilities.

Workmanship included straightforward bedding of the cobbles and stones using bedding mortar, Pro-Bed HS, and priming to enhance bond by applying Pro-Prime slurry primer. In comparison, grouting the lane posed a few challenges that were easily overcome with excellent technical assistance from Ultrascape.

When grouting cobbles a flowable product is required to accommodate the differentiating joint depths and widths created from irregular stone sizes and patterns. Ultrascape's recommendation was to use Flowpoint, a rapid setting grout with a high fluid consistency that is perfect for such irregular joints and large areas. It can be poured all over the stones and then simply washed clean, filling all joints evenly, without any staining.

Flowpoint is available in two colours, natural and charcoal, which were used on different areas of the lane. The preservation of the lane's picturesque setting and historic heritage were of utmost importance on this project. Therefore, a especially blended colour was also required to ensure the lane remained as aesthetically pleasing and historically correct as possible once reopened.

The Ultrascape Technical Team worked with Durham County Council's Senior Technician in Highway Design to create the perfect colour required for Bow Lane. A bespoke 'mud brown' was created and used alongside the standard natural and charcoal Flowpoint colours.

The facelift has now completed and the lane is being used as a through route by the many visitors to Durham Cathedral daily.

For further information on the Ultrascape range of products, please visit www.ultrascape.co.uk or call 01827 871871.