INTERPAVE SUMMIT REVEALS OPTIMISM FOR FUTURE OF CONCRETE BLOCK PAVING

The future is bright for the future of concrete block paving. That is the overwhelming feeling following the highly successful Interpave Hard Landscape Summit 2010 which took place Tuesday 2nd November at Interpave’s headquarters in Leicester.

The summit, subtitled; ‘Trends and Prospects in the Consumer, Urban and Engineering Markets’ featured a packed programme of presentations and keynote speeches which looked at the current state of the market for concrete block paving, as well as identifying future opportunities.

The summit was opened and closed by Chris Droogan of Brett Landscaping, who steps down as Interpave Chairman following a very successful three year tenure in which the association has had a proactive role in guiding and influencing regulations and standards on key issues, as well as being involved in a range of new initiatives, such as the development of the CIRIA SUDS Manual, and the Health & Safety Executive’s key supply chain projects.

“It has certainly been a very exciting period,” explains Droogan. “Interpave has lobbied and engaged with government and other organisations, and has worked hard to educate the market about key issues such as SUDS and integrated design. As a result permeable paving and sustainable drainage are now well understood concepts, while Interpave is regarded as the first port of call for communication and guidance on such matters.

“While the general feeling throughout society is one of belt-tightening austerity, for the concrete block paving industry these are times of great change, great opportunity and great optimism. New regulations on flooding and sustainable paving are helping to push the industry forward, and are setting a new agenda which Interpave and its members are embracing and responding to.

“The association has established itself with government and the market and will continue to provide guidance and support going forward. In doing so Interpave will continue to drive business to members and grow the market for concrete block paving.”

The Interpave summit featured presentations from members and invited speakers looking at; Industry Trends, Technical Issues, Legislation and SUDS, Health & Safety, Sustainability and the Future, as well as keynote presentations from Sheena Raeburn of Ian White Associates and consultant Ian Walsh.

For further information visit www.paving.org.uk