Groundtrax Cellpave 50 preferred surfacing solution for Coleshill HS2 car park

Product: CellPave 50

Area: 4,200m²

Main contractor: P J Hegarty

Installer: Nigel McKie Ltd

Project overview

Groundtrax (now part of Green-tech) was pleased to receive confirmation that CellPave 50 had been specified as the preferred surfacing solution for a new car park facility on the HS2 route at Coleshill, to the east of Birmingham.

Coleshill forms part of a key interchange point on the HS2 project, supporting major transport connections including the Birmingham Curzon Street branch, while the main HS2 line continues north from London Euston. As one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure developments, HS2 demands high-performance, long-lasting products that meet strict site and compliance requirements.

The total area covered was 4,200 m², creating parking for several hundred vehicles.

The challenge

With the site expected to experience high daily traffic volumes, the car park surface needed to deliver strength, stability and durability under repeated loading. As a major government infrastructure scheme, the project also required robust delivery coordination, strict compliance and an experienced installer capable of meeting HS2 operational standards.

The solution

CellPave 50 was specified as a heavy-duty, permeable paving system suitable for commercial environments where long-term performance is essential.

CellPave 50 is a 50mm permeable paving system designed for car parks, access routes and commercial hardstanding. It provides a strong, stable surface that supports sustainable drainage, allowing water to pass through the surface and into the sub-base.

Key product benefits include:

• Heavy-duty 50mm profile designed for high traffic use

• Over 8.5kg/m² mass, providing one of the most robust systems available

• 5mm sidewalls for enhanced strength and long-term resilience

• Strong interlocking connection for improved stability under repeated loading

• Permeable design supporting SuDS compliance and reducing surface water runoff

• Suitable for grass or gravel infill, offering a functional surface with a natural finish

CellPave 50 is widely specified on commercial projects due to its durability and structural integrity, making it an ideal solution for HS2, where long-term reliability is critical.

Installation and logistics

In accordance with the specification, the contractor, P J Hegarty, asked the Groundtrax team to provide details of experienced installers capable of delivering a project of this scale.

After a selection process, Nigel McKie Ltd was selected to undertake the installation. Nigel McKie Ltd operates multiple installation teams across the UK and has extensive experience installing both CellPave 50 and CellPave HD, Groundtrax’s truck-grade permeable paving system.

HS2 logistics and access requirements are demanding, with strict delivery and transport standards. The team supported the project by coordinating deliveries, managing offloading and storage, and arranging controlled access to the site using a FORS-registered transport company, ensuring compliance with HS2 site requirements.

The Outcome

The car park was completed, delivering a robust permeable surface designed to withstand heavy daily use while supporting sustainable drainage.

David Marsh, Category Manager - Ground Reinforcement and Ground Protection at Green-tech, comments, “This was a high-profile infrastructure project with demanding site and compliance requirements, so it was vital that the product specified could deliver long-term strength and stability. CellPave 50 is one of the most robust permeable paving systems available, and it has proven to be the ideal solution for a car park that will experience high daily traffic volumes. The successful installation at Coleshill demonstrates why CellPave 50 continues to be trusted on major commercial and infrastructure projects.”