access (manhole) cover for driveway

[neil]

The 40 year old drain cover on my driveway has finally cracked, so I need to replace it soon - car can be parked further down so that's ok, leaving only pedestrian loads. I've measured the cover itself and it's 640 mm by 495 mm. I've had a browse of various supplier web sites, ManholeCover.co.uk looking the most promising. Does anyone have any advice for a complete drainage newbie ? Hoping to phone them tomorrow for a chat and order - the MHS-9024 on page

to be the one, but it would be nice if someone with some expertise in these things can confirm. thanks in anticipation, Neil

[Phil L]

Have a look in B&Q warehouse, they are cheaper than manholecovers.co.uk, failing that, try a local builders merchant, but *not* travis perkins, unless you intend taking out a 2nd mortgage.

[neil]

Thanks Phil. There's a new B&Q in Gillingham I can try. Travis Perkins was on the list of possibles ... cheers, Neil

[Andrew Gabriel]

Get a cast iron one from a local builder's merchant. Although pressed steel ones will take a car, they do bend/flex when you sand on them. I bought one, and after I'd got it home and stood on it, took it back to swap for the lightest duty cast iron type, which isn't much more expensive but doesn't flex when you stand on it (and takes much more weight, although that probably doesn't matter for you). You may need to buy a pair of lifting handles at the same time, but they're dirt cheap.