Client

Guildford Borough Council

Value

£600,000

Sectors & Services

Multi-Storey Car Parks Concrete Repair Coatings Membranes Cleaning & Preparation Projects

Farnham Road Car Park is a 917-space multi-storey facility located adjacent to Guildford Railway Station, serving both daily commuters and short-term visitors to Guildford’s town centre. Constructed in the late 1980s, the car park is of steel-framed construction with composite concrete floor slabs formed from precast, prestressed planks with an in situ reinforced concrete topping, and brick parapets.

Ongoing inspections by Guildford Borough Council identified increasing levels of deterioration, prompting the need for structural repair, rehabilitation and a significant visual upgrade. In response, Philips Surveyors LLP was appointed to design a comprehensive refurbishment to preserve this strategically important transport asset.

Services undertaken

  • Phased refurbishment of an operational multi-storey car park

  • Structural repair and rehabilitation works to existing car park structure

  • Surface preparation to composite concrete deck slabs

  • Installation of Sika Car Park Decking waterproofing system

  • Application of Sika Ferrogard 903 migrating corrosion inhibitor to deck surfaces

  • Traffic and parking management to maintain operational capacity

  • Coordination with designer and client representatives

  • Delivery under Considerate Constructors Scheme with recognised safety performance

 
 
Tailored tools for every job

CRL commenced works on site in August 2013 under a tightly controlled 16-week programme, with the critical constraint that the car park was to remain operational throughout. To maintain capacity and minimise disruption, no more than 66 parking spaces were taken out of service at any one time. This required detailed phasing, careful logistics planning and close coordination with the client and designer, demonstrating CRL’s capability in delivering complex refurbishment works within live environments.

The existing structure comprised steel framing supporting composite concrete decks and brick parapets. Repairs and protective treatments were undertaken to address areas of deterioration identified during prior inspections, while ensuring compatibility with the existing construction. Sika’s Car Park Decking System was selected as the preferred waterproofing and surfacing solution, providing a durable, trafficable finish suited to long-term use. Surface preparation was undertaken to ensure effective adhesion and performance of the deck coating system.

In parallel, Sika Ferrogard 903, a migrating corrosion inhibitor, was applied across all deck surfaces. This treatment was specifically chosen to reduce the corrosion rate of embedded reinforcement and to protect areas where corrosion had not yet initiated, forming an integral part of the long-term durability strategy. The combined approach of deck waterproofing and corrosion inhibition addressed both current condition issues and future risk.

CRL’s methodical approach, strong site management and commitment to safety were formally recognised through the award of a Considerate Constructors Scheme certificate for Performance Beyond Compliance. The works were completed ahead of programme, within budget, and to the quality standards expected by Guildford Borough Council. CRL’s expertise in concrete repairs and structural repairs UK ensured the asset was preserved while maintaining continuous service, supporting the council’s wider asset management objectives.

“CRL undertook the project in a professional and organised manner and were flexible with their working method to ensure that the car park remained open throughout the surfacing project. The works were carried out to a good standard with minimal disruption to the
existing car park users.”

Philip Wiltshire | Partner | Philips Surveyors

Long-term protection and service life extension were central to the refurbishment strategy at Farnham Road Car Park. The application of Sika’s Car Park Decking System provides a durable, waterproof barrier that limits water ingress and protects the composite concrete slabs from further deterioration. Effective surface preparation ensured optimal bonding and long-term performance of the system under daily traffic loading.

The use of Sika Ferrogard 903 migrating corrosion inhibitor adds an additional layer of defence by slowing corrosion processes within the reinforced concrete, even in areas not yet exhibiting visible damage. Together, these measures reduce future maintenance demands, enhance structural resilience and improve whole-life value. By integrating protective technologies with carefully phased delivery, CRL helped safeguard this key town-centre asset for continued use by commuters and visitors alike.

read more about the project in the parking news

Protection beyond the repair