Currentissuesintherevival oftraditionasltonepaving Stuart Eydmann and Hans Halstvedt revisit a subject previously discussed in Context 41. After the last war the use of natural stone in urban streetworks in Britain was largely abandoned with the result that the old paving skills have almost disappeared. During the 1950s and 1960s the trend was to replace the 'old' materials with asphalt surfaces which were simpler to specify, less expensive to lay, easier to maintain and seen as safer for vehicles and pedestrians. From the 1970s onwards clay or quality concrete block paving became the norm in town centres and conservation areas. Recent years have seen an increase in the specification of natural stone products for streetscape schemes as local authorities, enterprise companies and the general public have come to appreciate the durability and appropriateness inherent in the use of high quality traditional materials in sensitive and prestige locations. Associated with this trend is a greater awareness of the carefully detailed use of stone in other European countries where paving skills, protected by craft qualifications and apprenticeships, are held in the highest regard. The current revival of the use of stone is to be greatly welcomed as our towns and cities once enjoyed an outstanding tradition of quality paving and it is only right that the surface of public spaces should enjoy the same level of attention being paid to the conservation of the buildings which surround them. However, in this newfound enthusiasm a number of fundamental issues are often overlooked or ill considered by designers, specifiers, contractors and clients. Cost This is a crucial factor in the specification of stone paving. Typical costs of buying and laying include £45-50 per square metre for 70-90 mm Portuguese granite cubes and £65-70 for Caithness slabs. If more exotic materials are used, especially where they require sawing or carving, the cost can easily be over £100 per square metre. These figures compare unfavourably with £5 per square metre for an asphalt wearing course or £20 for high quality concrete paviours. However, when it is noted that the typical total costs of reconstructing an existing road in a built up area using bituminous products is in the region of £100 per square metre and £150 if natural stone is used the real difference in costs is 'only' in the order of around 50% more. Furthermore, it is being increasingly recognised that the maintenance costs of a well laid natural stone scheme will yield long term savings compared with a conventional road as its theoretical life is considerably longer and the natural stone products will retain a residual value in that they can be salvaged for re-use. Given the cost implications of natural stone paving, it would be foolish to undertake schemes on a shoe-string budget as this will inevitably result in wasted investment if the appropriate quality standards have not been achieved. It is always better to maintain standards and save money by reducing the scale of the area to be improved. As more traffic calming and streetscape projects are promoted, national guidelines for target budgets should be established for different types and standards of scheme in order that appropriate ranges of natural products can be considered at the outset. Kirkgate, Linlithgow. New Scottish diorite cubes laid in sand, reused whin kerbs and Caithness paving. The Cross, Linlithgow. New Scottish diorite cubes laid in sand. 36 Context 56 December 1997
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