Protecting my new off road parking space ... ideas please

8 years ago

We live in a very rural area, on a single track lane. We're currently having the space in front of our detached garage extended as part of having the very poorly built stone walls rebuilt. The idea was to create more off road parking, and once the wall is finished, the contractor will concrete the new larger footprint. However the stone mason has mentioned that in our shoes he'd be worried about people using this area as a passing place ... now cars and vans wouldn't be a problem, but very heavy agricultural machines regularly trundle by, and their weight could crack concrete. He suggested bollards & chains, but I feel they'd look too suburban for our hamlet. Any ideas or suggestions? I did wonder about a line of white painted rocks?

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minnie101

8 years ago

Potted plants?

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Amber Jeavons Ltd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Hello Smuze, Yes you could have some large planters in a row with some lovely foliage of your choice... Something sizeable with lovely Cherry laurel or Buxus.. You could even have a wooden planter made, but I like the idea of pots... or a low planter built from lovely old bricks that you then fill with soil and plant something you like... This might be easier, more cost effective and then means someone could't poach them in the night! I have seen some lovely bays in pots chained to their respective entrances to be sure their owner sees them the next day! : ))
smuze thanked Amber Jeavons Ltd
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minnie101
8 years ago
Chained is a good idea. I recently put really large painted terracotta pots outside my house and wake up every day expecting them to be gone!
Tani H-S
8 years ago
Have you though about a sign? I've seen a few saying things like 'polite notice - no turning, private property' etc. some cheeky people might still use the space but most wouldn't if the sign was very visible.

Obviously a chain etc across the space while you are sorting it out will physically stop the vehicles which is what you really want.
smuze thanked Tani H-S
smuze
Original Author
8 years ago
Yes, I'd thought about a sign, the new space will be like a mini lay by, sort of scooped out of the Devon bank that the garage is built into. We're also on a hill, and just before a bend, tho the lane does open up a bit both above and below our cottage. It really isn't "normal" light traffic that's the concern. It's more the impact some heavy farm machinery might have if it tried to squeeze past oncoming traffic. I don't think that planters or pots would work very well, they'd have to be very visible at night .. no lighting hereabouts ... and my neighbour's terracotta planters opposite haven't fared well! Thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated!
Jonathan
8 years ago
What about having shale instead of concrete. This won't get destroyed by heavy traffic and can be inexpensively topped up as it wears out
smuze thanked Jonathan
smuze
Original Author
8 years ago
That's a thought ... I'll chat to the contractors ... I think we'd need some sort of edging to hold it in as the edge of the tarmac'd road has already been damaged by the skip lorries .. the guys are going to patch it up when they've finished. I'm keen to clearly demarcate what's road and what's our land. The people opposite have had their drive laid with some sort of pulverised rubble, packed hard. But they're on the flat bit of the hamlet. Thanks!
smuze
Original Author
8 years ago
Just to update, we ended up using 5 ton of "10 mm to dust" from a local stone quarry. This is the sort of stuff they use at Buckingham Palace and on NT properties apparently, so we're moving in exalted circles(!), but I found it quite difficult to source locally. Packed well down, it has the advantage of not collecting rain water, and so shouldn't form sheets of ice come winter. It's a warm deep cream colour, and complements the stone walls beautifully. Lots of compliments from neighbours and passers by, which is always nice!

Protecting my new off road parking space ... ideas please

minnie101

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Protecting my new off road parking space ... ideas please

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