Pilot project aims to tackle stains to new Cork city footpaths

A pilot project by the VQ will look at minimising staining on the new paths on MacCurtain St.

Shane Clarke, director of operations for the VQ, told The Echo: “Cork City Council and the NTA delivered a very fine public realm scheme with significant capital investment. There’s been some teething problems, particularly around illegal parking, but we are in dialogue with the council.

He explained that the VQ had advised the council that contractors should seal the surfaces before opening it to the public, so oils or grease don’t penetrate the porous stone. But he said “that didn’t happen, it wasn’t built into the contract”. He added: “We’re eight months on from the opening of MacCurtain St. Tyre marks and oil from vehicles, and grease from fast food, have penetrated.

“We have been seeking approval from Cork City Council for some months now to do a trial with a company called ProtectIt, who have a proven product and a track record.”

They secured permission, and at 6am on Wednesday they cleaned a 7m by 7m section outside Isaacs, he said, explaining: “We drew out some of the staining, not all – some was too ingrained, then sealed that subsection.”

The aim is that, though the pavement will still discolour, no future oils or grease will penetrate, meaning that, when jet washed, stains will wash off. Mr Clarke said that sealing should be a routine part of new pavements such as these, explaining: “You buy a carpet, you have to hoover the carpet – you have to look at management costs, and this here is standard best practice.

“The council is investing hundreds of millions of euros in public realm – in areas like Grand Parade, the Docklands – this should be built into big capital projects, it costs less than 1% of the overall cost.”

Mr Clarke said that their pilot project, which they will return to examine in two months, comparing the treated area to untreated areas has been well received by local businesses.

He added: “Almost all stones are porous, so there’s no issue with the quality. They used fabulous materials.” He said it’s about maintenance and enforcement of illegal parking.