Eco work complete at Boden Street car park, Chard

Boden Street car park has has a revamp, with a new type of surfacing and low energy lighting.

South Somerset District Council (SSDC) has used a stabilised aggregate to cover the surface of the extension, rather than using traditional tarmac.

This reduces the energy used in the construction process.

Using a stabilised aggregate allows water to soak through to underlying soils which in turn will reduce pressure on the town centre surface water drainage, reducing the risk of flooding.

It also means the existing trees can remain at the site, as they can continue to access water and root growth can be accommodated.

The aggregate used was sourced from Chard quarry.

The existing lighting has also been replaced with new low energy LED fittings.

These will contribute to a significant reduction in the use of electricity and the overall carbon footprint of the project.

Cllr Jason Baker, portfolio holder for Chard Regeneration, said: “This is the first council-owned car park in the district to use such a material and I’m pleased that we are using it here in Chard for the Regeneration Programme.

“Throughout the build of the leisure centre, we have always tried to protect the environment where we can and it’s really good news that we can retain trees, reduce the risk of flooding and use locally sourced materials.”