In November last year, we started working with the leading East Midlands Civil Engineering company, Danaher & Walsh, on the major regeneration of Waltham Cross town centre in Hertfordshire.
HMS Decorative Surfacing has worked on the final stages of the project, laying 62 linear metres of ‘rain gardens’ as part of the Sustainable Urban Drainage System, a key component of the environmental enhancements to the town centre.
The 200mm wide by 30mm deep resin bound paving was chosen in the colour Stirling Midnight, to sit 60mm below the finished level of the pavement. The resin bound strips are porous and SUDS compliant, allowing water to drain evenly and slowly, percolating into the soft landscaping that will be planted on top.
This smart installation will address the risk of surface water flooding, which has been a significant issue in the past, especially during extreme rainfall events. SUDS-compliant paving provides structure, while also allowing surface water to drain, managing Waltham Cross’ surface water problem.
Laura Wilson, Director at HMS, commented on the project. She said: “We were delighted to be working alongside Danaher and Walsh on such a major project.
“The area has experienced some significant flooding over recent years, making SUDS compliance an incredibly important part of this regeneration project. Our porous resin bound rain gardens will not only considerably reduce surface water, but the infiltrated water will also help the surrounding landscaping to flourish, enhancing the aesthetics of the town centre.
“We’ve really enjoyed working on this project and look forward to seeing the final results of the regeneration.”
Waltham Cross isn’t the first project of this nature that HMS has worked on. Back in 2023, we completed a similar project for Mansfield District Council in partnership with Galliford Try (on behalf of Severn Trent), to transform a disused car park into a memorial garden in the city. We installed strips of resin bound paving to form part of the SUDS-compliant rain garden, to aid drainage and ensure excess water doesn’t damage topsoil or wash away soft landscaping.
From rural bridleways to town centres, the varied nature of our work at HMS shows the flexibility and adaptability of resin surfacing for any project. Whether it’s used for functional safety, sustainable water management, or to create aesthetic and enjoyable public spaces, resin continues to prove its worth as a modern surfacing solution with long-term performance and environmental benefits.
Find out more about SUDS compliance and the environmental benefits of resin bound paving here: https://www.hmslimited.co.uk/resin-bound-surfacing/.
