Tar footpaths are inexpensive as compared with flagging, etc., and if properly laid, water will not soak into them, nor will the heat of the sun melt the tar. It is laid in two layers - the bottoming and the topping. The bottoming, which is composed of slag, clinkers, etc., is mixed with a hot composition of gas tar boiled in a cauldron, a little pitch and resin being added. Before being used, the materials must be allowed time to become thoroughly incorporated with the tar. The formation level being ready, a thickness of 2 in. of this bottoming is laid and well rolled. The top layer, 1 in. in thickness, is now laid on this and well rolled. The topping differs from the bottoming only in the smaller and liner finality of the materials which, in the case of topping, are mixed with the tar. The surface is now flooded with the tar composition in a boiling condition, and, whilst wet, is blinded with clean white sand or fine granite dust. A footpath of this kind lasts a long time without requiring any repairs worth mentioning. Inequalities and bad patches must be cut out as soon as they occur, and new material well rammed in. Every two or three years, according to the character and extent of the traffic, a fresh top should be laid over and blinded.

These footpaths will, however, last usually six or seven years without requiring absolute renewal.