Wallbarn ASP Support Pads have been used to install new sandstone paving slabs for walkways and podium decks at Somerville College, Oxford University.

Part of the refurbishment works at the prestigious college for women where, amongst other great luminaries, Margaret Thatcher (Britain’s first female Prime Minister) graduated in 1945, called for walkways and podium decks to be taken up, re-waterproofed and covered with new sandstone paving slabs.

The original slabs, which had become rather unsightly, had been laid in a suspended system previously, but as the flags were taken up it was clear hat the support pads could not be used again, which was why Wallbarn were contacted by the contractor.

The project demanded top quality cut sandstone paving slabs to match the ambient ancient stone buildings. This meant they had to be laid in the correct way to the highest standards.

The ASP supports were adjusted by turning the thread up and down on the stem, so an exactly level upper surf ace was achieved. The weight was adequately borne since the support pads can tolerate 400kg each, and by passing the weight through the 200mm diameter base plates, there was no risk of damage to the deck beneath. The contractors were able to lay the paving in a very short space of time, which was important due to the area being required for the students.

The finished results were a vast improvement and satisfied both the client and the various conservation and planning bodies who had been involved in this fairly complicated project.