Hanson Formpave, an established manufacturer of concrete block pavers and permeable paving solutions, in partnership with appointed South Africa licensee Concor Technicrete, has completed the first ever permeable paving contract in the country.

The driveways and yard areas of an affordable housing complex, The Reeds, in Fairland, Johannesburg, is South Africa’s first development to be paved with a permeable paving system using solid paving blocks. Permeable rather than conventional run-off paving was specified for The Reeds because the storm-water drainage system in the area was built 35 years ago and lacks the capacity to handle any additional water run-off.


The permeable paving blocks were custom made for the project by Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) member and Hanson Formpave’s licensee, Concor Technicrete, and approximately 89,000 square units and 94,000 rectangular units were supplied to cover an area totalling 4320m².

John Cairns, CMA Director, commented: "Until now local engineers have resisted the system mainly because they mistakenly believed that water and sub-base material don't mix. However, the system has been used successfully for the last 20 years in Europe and for the past ten in Australia, and how there are engineers who are prepared to use the system. In addition, local councils are likely to begin approving new building projects with the proviso that some or all the paving is permeable."

(CL)