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CANTERBURY RIVERSIDE FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENTS

Client: Canterbury City Council

Ovenden Allworks were selected, following competitive tender, to undertake the footpath improvement works to the Canterbury Stour riverside footpath.

The existing tarmac footpath is subject to heavy foot traffic and required repairs. The client had also identified areas where the path required widening due to the formation of ‘desire paths’ being created by the footpath users.

The section of path included in the project was 450m in length, varying in width from 1.5m to 3m. The path runs alongside the river stour on one side and St Radigunds Car park, St Johns Church Primary School, Canterbury Coach park and Sainsburys on the other.

In summary the works included vegetation clearance, excavation of existing footpath and topsoil to allow widening, the installation of new timber path edgings, installation of new subbase and tarmac.

Along the entire footpath new edgings were to be installed, this was completed by saw cutting along the existing tarmac, excavation and disposal to licenced tip of the arisings, allowing the edgings to be installed, type one subbase lad and compacted and two layers of tarmac, binder and wearing laid. This allowed the surfacing overlay to be ‘keyed’ into the existing and compacted against an edging, which will provide a better, longer lasting surface as opposed to a simple overlay.

Works were also required to improve the existing site furniture. Benches, bins, railing and lighting columns. Benches were relocated, with new concrete foundations constructed, then overlaid with tarmac to improve the visual appearance. The metal railing was taken up and relocated to suit the new layout of the path. All metalwork was then refurbished.

Due to the ecological sensitive location of the works, due to its proximity with a live watercourse, special measures and working methods were adopted. The works were subject to a Flood risk activity permit (FRAP)

The phasing of the works was critical to maintain safe access for the public throughout the works. For the purposes of programming the project was split into multiple identified sections, to be undertaken sequentially to facilitate the local stake holders and cause minimal disruption throughout the works.