Why Including Kerb and Channel Matters
If you are constructing a new road, you will have to plan it carefully. Think about how wide the road should be and what materials will be used to create the road surface. You must ensure that you understand both the type of traffic you expect to travel on the road and the traffic volume that will use the road surface. In addition to the road surface, you must think about making the road safe for drivers and maintaining the road in the future. A crucial part of road safety is delineating the road edge and ensuring that traffic does not stray from the road onto the surrounding area. Completing kerb and channel work all along the road is a good way to ensure that everyone knows precisely where the road surface ends.
What is 'kerb and channel'?
When you want to mark the edge of your road, kerb and channel work is essential. A precast concrete kerb provides a visible barrier that will prevent vehicles from swerving off the road. The channel that runs along the edge of the kerb will provide drainage, keeping the road surface clear of water and helping the water to run safely away into the drainage system.
What does 'kerb and channel' look like?
You can select styles and colours for your kerb and channel depending on your environment. Three widely-used concrete kerb and channel profiles are semi-mountable, fully-mountable, and barrier. Talk to your supplier to see which option could be most appropriate in your situation. In most cases, 'kerb and channel' is created using a kerb and channel machine, although you could opt for hand construction if you have specific requirements.
Taking care of your kerb and channel
Installing kerb and channel along the edge of your road is vital, but unless you take proper care of it, it will not work. To keep the road surface free from water, the water must flow freely through the channel. If the channel starts to become blocked by debris or dirt, this can impact the water flow and cause it to spread back across the road surface creating hazardous driving conditions. It is best to ensure that the channel is regularly swept using a road sweeper so that the water will flow where it needs to go. If the kerb becomes damaged following an accident, it is best to replace the damaged section and patch the adjoining road surface to restore the kerb and channel properly, rather than attempting to repair the damage.