In 2015, Miles Macadam were contracted to install 300m² of our Grouted Macadam Hardicrete™ to three Bus Laybys on Sir Thomas Street in Liverpool. The existing construction of these laybys was originally concrete. Concrete carriageways surfaced with conventional materials are prone to damage, with any underlying movement, particularly on joints, causing reflective cracking of the surface course. In addition, the continual vibrations from stationary buses can cause conventional materials to weaken and deform. However, Miles Macadam’s specialist Cementitious Grouted Macadam Hardicrete™ provides a robust solution.

Miles Macadam were responsible for the planing off 40mm of existing failed HRA surface course, to expose the underlying concrete pavement. The exposed concrete joints were pre-treated followed by the installation of an open graded design mix surface course with a controlled void content, which is then filled with a resin cementitious grout. Hardicrete™ is a highly durable surfacing material best described as a hybrid between asphalt and concrete. It is designed to withstand intense traffic loadings and fuel/leachate contamination whilst maintaining flexural strength, making it the ideal material choice for this project.

This site was inspected 6 years post-surfacing in 2021. Upon examination, the laybys showed no signs of deformation typically associated with bus infrastructure. Despite 6 years of constant channelled bus traffic the laybys remain completely rut free. The material had delivered on its resistance to fuel/leachate contamination as well as flexural strength. The movement of the concrete below the bays had not affected the integrity of the surface course as reflective cracking was not evident. This was aided by the expansion joints added to the surface to protect against the thermal expansion of the bays below.

Miles Macadam have provided a long-term, durable solution for the treatment of the Sir Thomas Street bus laybys. We pride ourselves on the longevity of our Grouted Macadam’s and this site is no exception.