Comments on: Paving, part 2: down the alleys

By: Julie Ulliott

Julie Ulliott — Mon, 06 Jun 2022 11:18:32 +0000

When we bought our house we gained responsibility for the alley at the side of it – it just provides access to our garage and next door’s who have right of access. We’re currently having them re-grouted as they tend to gather mud, moss and weeds in between. I understand why the council tarmac them but it’s such a shame. So glad to have found this article and the links, it’s satisfied my curiosity.

By: Brian Morton

Brian Morton — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 11:07:53 +0000

Born and brought up in Millfield Road (Right Hand side of street from Scarcroft Road). Back Lane paved with these sets for 2/3 of length.
Interesting comment about giving a grip for horses, remember the coal delivery where the cart was “backed” down from the top of the lane.

By: Mark Warman

Mark Warman — Sat, 26 Sep 2020 14:19:17 +0000

I believe that they were also made at Skinningrove Ironworks. In the 1970s I examined one in the lab and it was found to be made up of a mineral called melilite which is found in blast furnace slag. Melilite is a solid solution of akermanite (Ca2MgSi2O7) and gehlenite (Ca2Al2SiO7). A polished section examined under a microscope was found to consist of a mass of very fine interlocking needles that is typical of a structure formed by rapidly cooling a liquid slag. This structure may account for their hard wearing properties.
It is pleasing to know that in Middlesbrough in some recently surfaced tarmac streets there are two rows of slag setts forming the gutters.

By: Deborah Roberts

Deborah Roberts — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 13:00:58 +0000

These were the covering in the alley behind my grandmothers house in Kitchener Street , Haxby Road .
Are they still in place ?

By: David

David — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:27:05 +0000

Yes,I have used most. I have used them mainly for edging around the garden but also for my door step, garage threshold and driveway threshold. Sadly, the remainder are either ear marked or promised so I’m afraid I have none to spare.

By: Andy Tuckwell

Andy Tuckwell — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:36:09 +0000

Thanks June!