Conisbrough Castle in Doncaster is a 12th century Grade I listed castle, one of the country’s best examples of medieval architecture, featuring a rare Norman hexagonal keep.
The castle was closed for six months for major redevelopment work amounting to £1.1m, a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council.
The redevelopment included a new visitor centre, larger education and exhibition rooms, interactive displays, improved access, signage and parking.
The new visitor centre was built onto an existing Victorian lodge and the surrounding park was landscaped. The car park and area in front of the centre, along with its surrounding path needed to be decorative, smooth, SuDS compliant, suitable for wheelchair access.
A Ronacrete Approved Contractor laid over 300m2 of RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing with the Quartz Parallel aggregate blend which was supplied by Ronacrete’s aggregate partner Long Rake Spar.
The RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing System was supplied as a two-component UV stable polyurethane resin, along with a blend of kiln-dried aggregates. The two resin components were mixed with a slow speed drill and paddle before being added to a 200 litre Baron forced action mixer containing the Quartz Parallel aggregate blend.
The RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing was spread to level and the surface was smoothed with a steel float. RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing was applied at a thickness of 15mm on the path and 18mm in the car park.
The surfacing is tested to BS 8204-6 and this test shows the risk of slip to be low, an important factor to consider at a busy tourist attraction. The resistance of the resin to ultra-violet light ensures that the resin will not yellow or darken and will remain elastic, lengthening the service life of the system.
By improving the access and parking facilities at Conisbrough Castle, RonaDeck Resin Bound Surfacing featuring Long Rake’s Grantex range of aggregates has played a role in a major redevelopment project that will bring history alive to thousands.
Contractor: Ronacrete