Requirement: Large-scale grass reinforcement for seasonal staff overflow parking
Client: RM Contractors UK Ltd
End site: Designer Outlet York
Location: St Nicholas Avenue, York, YO19 4TA
Product supplied: 140 rolls of Heavy Duty Grass Reinforcement Mesh, 2m x 20m
Area covered: 5,600m²
Fixings supplied: 420 packs of 50 metal U pins
Issue
Designer Outlet York required a large area of grass to be reinforced for seasonal overflow parking during the busy Black Friday and pre-Christmas trading period.
The site needed to accommodate a high number of vehicles over a relatively short period of time, while keeping the area as grass rather than installing a permanent hardstanding surface. The end client also required a solution that would allow them to get planning permission, which had previously been a challenge when considering extensions to their car parking footprint.
Grassmats undertook multiple site visits before and during the project to review the proposed parking area, assess the ground conditions and provide recommendations for the installation and ongoing use of the reinforced grass parking area.
Solution
Grassmats supplied and installed 140 rolls of Heavy Duty Grass Reinforcement Mesh, covering approximately 5,600m² across the site.
The mesh was fixed using metal U pins and installed over the existing grass surface. The area had been cut short before installation, helping the mesh sit flush with the ground and allowing the grass to grow through and interlock with the mesh over time.
The project was a significant installation, with around a week of work required by the Grassmats installation team. Our Technical Sales Manager attended the site before and during the project, and further checks were carried out as the installation progressed.
Once installed, the reinforced grass area provided a seasonal staff overflow parking solution without the need to create a permanent tarmac or gravel car park.
Early Use and Bedding-In Support
Due to the timing of the project, the reinforced area was brought into use almost immediately after installation. This coincided with prolonged wet weather and very high vehicle movements, with more than 300 cars using the site for overflow parking.
As with any grass reinforcement system, the best long-term performance is achieved once the grass has had time to grow through and bind with the mesh. During the first period of use, the entrance and turning areas experienced the highest level of stress, which is common on reinforced grass parking areas because vehicle braking, turning and repeated wheel movements are concentrated in the same locations.
Grassmats worked with RM Contractors UK Ltd to provide additional support, including advice on sand dressing, extra pinning and further material to help reinforce the most heavily trafficked areas. A Rootzone 80-20 sand-soil dressing was also used to help improve the surface during the wet conditions.
Benefits
Despite a challenging start caused by immediate heavy use and wet ground conditions, the reinforced area provided a practical seasonal parking solution for one of the busiest periods of the year.
- Large-scale grass parking can be created without installing permanent hardstanding
- The existing grassed area can be retained
- The system is suitable for temporary or seasonal overflow parking requirements
- Mesh can be installed over large areas relatively quickly
- Additional support can be provided in high-stress entrance and turning areas
- The surface can recover and improve as grass grows through the mesh
- Planning permission obtained as part of the wider project, and the mesh solution was a key part in getting this approved
A follow-up visit showed that the area had recovered well after the initial bedding-in period. This confirmed that the early issues were linked to the combination of immediate use, high traffic volumes and persistent wet weather, rather than a failure of the reinforcement system itself.
Outcome
The completed installation enabled the site to use a large grassed area for seasonal staff overflow parking during a particularly busy retail period.
The project also highlighted the importance of allowing grass reinforcement mesh time to bed in where possible, especially before intensive vehicle use. Where a site needs to be used immediately, particular attention should be given to entrance points, turning areas, drainage, speed control and early aftercare.
For large-scale overflow parking projects, Grassmats can provide site-specific advice before, during and after installation to help customers achieve the best possible long-term result.
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Recommended Product
For similar projects, we recommend our Heavy Duty Grass Reinforcement Mesh, which is designed for grass parking, access routes and high-use pedestrian or vehicle areas.
View our full Grass Reinforcement Mesh range or contact the Grassmats team for project-specific advice.
Planning a seasonal overflow car park?
Planning a seasonal overflow car park, staff parking area or event parking space? Contact Grassmats with your site details, expected vehicle numbers and intended use period, and we can recommend a suitable grass reinforcement solution.
