Gritty solution to potholes

New Forest car park trials look set to produce far better facilities for motorists.

Forestry Commission engineers are already hard at work at Longslade Bottom - the first of ten sites selected for the scheme. They are replacing the easily pitted locally sourced rounded gravel and sand surface with sharp edged basalt grit taken from mineral workings near Bath.

In selecting the material they had to find something that would meet the strict rules on using non-native materials in Special Areas of Conservation. The Mendip stone is chemically completely inert and will have no effect at all on the surrounding vegetation or wildlife.

Visitors will notice that the new surface is a different colour to the old type. And they should see that it is far more durable and prevents potholes forming near the car park entrances.

Forestry Commission recreation manager, Helen Wood, said:

“The secret is in the way the bits of basalt lock together. That prevents holes being so easily gouged out at the main pressure points.

“It makes for a far less bumpy ride for drivers and a firmer and smoother surface for walkers. The big increase in surface durability also means we will be able to reduce the number of maintenance visits we make to each car park.

“That will enable us to cover far more of our 150 forest car parks in our annual maintenance programme than we can at present.”

The 60-car Longslade Bottom site is one of the most heavily used in the forest and will provide an excellent test for the new stone.

If the trials go well more sites will be resurfaced next year.

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please contact Libby Burke, Forestry Commission New Forest Communications Manager, on 023 8028 3141.