Cambridge Driveways
A stable, draining surface on the right sub-base, quoted in full before any work begins.
What We Arrange
From resin bound to block paving, the right surface depends on what is underneath it, and that starts with a site survey.
Compare block paving, resin, tarmac & gravel, with sub-base & drainage included in every quote.
Permeable UV-stable surface laid over a sound tarmac or concrete base, no planning permission needed in most cases.
Concrete blocks or clay pavers on a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base, with kiln-dried sand joints and edge restraints.
Bitumen binder course and wearing course on a compacted sub-base, typically ready for use within 24 hours of laying.
Shingle aggregate over a compacted sub-base and geotextile membrane, with edging to prevent scatter and sinking.
Water drains through the surface into a sub-base and soakaway, no planning permission needed for most front drives.
Asphalt, concrete, or resin bound overlay on a sound existing base, lower disruption than full replacement.
Sunken blocks, cracked tarmac, and pooling water fixed by addressing the sub-base cause, not just the surface.
Channel drain set in concrete bedding, graded to fall, and connected to a 110mm pipe or soakaway.
Highway consent under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 must be obtained before any kerb lowering begins.
Extra parking width matched to your existing surface, with drainage falls and edge restraints set correctly.
Concrete, stone, or metal edge restraints haunched in place to hold the driveway surface and prevent spread.
Surface installation on bare or temporary-surfaced new build plots, covering sub-base, drainage, and planning compliance.
Ground dug out and compacted MOT Type 1 laid to the correct depth.
Surface falls checked at survey stage so water runs clear of the threshold.
Resin bound, block paving, tarmac or gravel matched to site conditions.
Concrete-haunched edging set to level to prevent surface spread.
Weed-suppression membrane under gravel and permeable surfaces.
Section 184 highway consent checked and submitted before access work starts.
Permeable surface options assessed against surface water drainage rules.
Soakaway sized for Cambridge clay’s limited natural percolation rate.
What Goes Wrong
Most driveway failures trace back to decisions made before the first block was laid, or skipped entirely.
A driveway laid onto Cambridge clay or fen peat without a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base will sink within a couple of winters.
The survey establishes excavation depth and sub-base specification before any surface material is chosen or priced.
Standing water after rain usually means the surface falls are wrong or the channel drain is blocked, lifted, or connected incorrectly.
Drainage falls and channel drain connections are assessed at survey stage, not discovered once the surface is already down.
A quote covering only the surface layer leaves excavation, sub-base, drainage and edging as surprises once work starts.
Every quote covers excavation, sub-base, drainage and surface finish as separate line items, no hidden groundwork costs.
Resurfacing over a compromised base or unresolved drainage fault means the same cracking or sinking returns within a season.
A base condition survey confirms whether an overlay is viable or full excavation is needed before any material is committed to.
Why Choose Us
The ground beneath a Cambridge driveway varies more than most, the process is built around that fact.
A local contractor visits the site to assess ground conditions, drainage and falls before a quote is issued.
Partners are selected for the specific conditions at the property, clay, chalk or fen peat each need a different approach.
Excavation, sub-base, drainage and surface finish are quoted as separate line items so nothing is added mid-job.
Resin bound, block paving, tarmac and gravel are assessed against the site conditions at survey stage, not sold in advance.
Highway consent requirements and surface water drainage compliance are confirmed at the initial assessment where relevant.
How It Works
01
Describe the size, existing surface, drainage situation and whether a dropped kerb is needed.
02
A local contractor visits to assess the ground, check drainage falls, and confirm excavation requirements.
03
A written quote covers excavation, sub-base, drainage and surface finish as separate line items.
Who We Help
Whether the plot is a Victorian terrace or a new build, the process starts with the same site survey.
Homeowners in Cambridge dealing with cracking, sinking or pooling water on an existing driveway, or wanting a new surface on a front garden plot. We arrange a local contractor to survey the ground, explain the material options, and quote the full job, excavation, sub-base, drainage and surface, before any work is committed to.
Developers finishing new build plots across Cambridgeshire that are handed over with bare soil or a temporary surface. We arrange contractors who cover sub-base compaction, drainage planning, surface selection and compliance with the five-square-metre impermeable surfacing rule as part of the same job.
Landlords managing rental properties where a worn or failing driveway surface is affecting the kerb appeal or causing drainage problems near the threshold. We arrange a survey and a clear written quote so the scope and cost are confirmed before any work starts.
Commercial property owners needing a hardstanding or access surface that handles regular vehicle use without rutting or sinking. We arrange contractors experienced in specifying sub-base depth and surface type for heavier loads, with drainage falls set correctly from the outset.
Pricing Estimates
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Gravel driveway | From £60 per m² |
| Tarmac driveway | £80-£100 per m² |
| Block paving driveway | From £100 per m² |
| Resin bound driveway | From £120 per m² |
| Driveway extension | £100-£250 per m² |
About Us
Cambridgeshire ground varies more than most: chalk south of Cambridge, heavy clay around Huntingdon, and peat across the fens where an unprepared base sinks within a couple of winters. We arrange local contractors who assess the existing base and drainage before quoting excavation, sub-base and surface as separate lines.
Areas We Cover
We arrange local contractors across the county, matched to the ground conditions at your postcode.
Tell us your postcode and the size of the job and we’ll arrange a local driveway contractor to survey and quote.
Request a SurveyDescribe the size, existing surface and drainage and we’ll arrange a local contractor to survey the site and provide a full written quote.