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Tarmac Driveways

Tarmac Driveways in Cambridge

A durable, fast-curing surface laid on a properly prepared base, ready for vehicles within 24 hours.

  • Survey Before Work
  • Full Written Quote
  • Ready in 24 Hours
Tarmac Driveways carried out by a professional driveways

Common Failures

Why some tarmac driveways fail within a few seasons

The surface material is rarely the problem, it is what happens underneath that determines how long a driveway lasts.

Patching a Weak Base

Applying a new wearing course over a soft or waterlogged sub-base produces the same pothole within one season.

Base Condition Survey First

A base condition check confirms whether the sub-base is sound before any decision is made on resurfacing or full excavation.

Shallow Sub-Base Depth

Cambridge clay-heavy ground moves more than sandy soils, so a sub-base that is too shallow allows the surface to crack and settle.

Depth Matched to Ground

A compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base is laid to a depth suited to the ground conditions found on site, not a one-size figure.

No Edge Restraints

Tarmac without fixed edge restraints spreads at the margins over time, leaving a crumbling, uneven border.

Restraints Set Before Laying

Edge restraints are installed before the binder course goes down, keeping the finished surface contained and level at the edges.

Standing Water

A surface laid without drainage falls traps water, which works into cracks and accelerates surface breakdown through freeze-thaw cycles.

Graded for Drainage Falls

The wearing course is graded so water runs to a channel drain or border, rather than pooling on the surface.

Common problems, answered

Scope of Work

What a tarmac driveway job covers

From a single pothole repair to a full excavation and relay, the scope depends on what the base survey finds.

Base Condition Survey

Checks compaction, drainage and level before any surface work.

Drainage Grading

Surface falls direct water to a channel drain or border.

Edge Restraints

Fixed margins prevent tarmac spreading at the edges.

Level Check

Confirms the finished surface sits flush with kerbs and thresholds.

Repair or Relay?

Tarmac driveways: when to resurface and when to dig out

Surface cracks and potholes are worth repairing only when the base beneath them is still sound.

Request a Survey

The first question with any worn tarmac surface is whether the base has failed or just the wearing course. Patching over a soft or waterlogged sub-base produces the same pothole within a season. A base condition survey checks compaction, drainage, and level before any decision is made between resurfacing and full excavation.

Where the base is sound, a tarmac overlay, binder course followed by a compacted wearing course, is laid and graded for drainage falls. Where the base has failed, excavation removes the old material, a fresh compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base is laid, and both courses go down in sequence. Cambridge clay-heavy ground often needs a deeper sub-base than sandy soils to prevent future movement.

Edge restraints are set before laying to keep the tarmac from spreading at the margins. The surface is compacted with a roller and graded so water runs to a channel drain or border rather than sitting on the surface. Tarmac cures quickly, most domestic driveways are ready for vehicle use within 24 hours of the wearing course going down.

Why Choose Us

Why Cambridge Driveways for tarmac work?

Accountability and process, not just a price, here is what you get before a single shovel goes in.

Survey Arranged Before Any Commitment

A local contractor visits the site to check the base and drainage before quoting any work.

Full Written Quote, No Surprises

The quote covers excavation, sub-base, drainage and surface, every element is itemised upfront.

Vetted Local Contractors

We connect you with independent local partners who work in Cambridge and know the ground conditions here.

Repair vs Replacement Advice

The survey confirms whether patching is sufficient or a full relay is needed, you get a clear recommendation.

No Work Without Your Approval

Nothing starts until you have reviewed the written quote and agreed the scope and cost in full.

A completed driveways job at a house
A finished driveways project

How It Works

From first enquiry to finished driveway

Request a Survey

  1. 01

    Describe Your Driveway

    Tell us the size, existing surface and any drainage issues so we can arrange the right contractor for your site.

  2. 02

    Survey & Written Quote

    A local contractor visits, checks the base condition and provides a full written quote covering all elements of the job.

  3. 03

    Lay, Compact & Finish

    Sub-base, binder course and wearing course are laid, compacted and graded, surface ready for vehicles within 24 hours.

Pricing Estimates

Typical Tarmac Driveways Prices

JobTypical cost
Small tarmac driveway£80-£100 per m²
Standard tarmac driveway£80-£100 per m²
Driveway resurfacing in tarmac£80-£100 per m²
These prices are estimates and often vary with the condition, size and scope of each job. Message or call us for a free, no-obligation quote.
See all prices

Common Questions

Tarmac driveway questions answered

  • Do I need a full new tarmac driveway or would repairs be enough?

    Repairs work when cracking or surface damage is localised and the sub-base beneath is still solid. If the base has failed, water has got underneath, or more than roughly a third of the surface is affected, a full replacement gives a better long-term result. A site survey will confirm which applies to your drive. See Driveway Repairs & Restoration for patch and repair options.

  • How do I know if the old surface needs ripping up or just resurfacing?

    Resurfacing suits a driveway where the existing tarmac is sound but worn or weathered on top. If there is sinking, cracking that follows a pattern, or soft spots underfoot, the sub-base has likely failed and needs excavating before a new surface goes down. A local contractor can assess this during a site survey before any work is quoted.

  • Why is my tarmac driveway cracking or breaking up?

    The most common causes are sub-base failure, water penetrating the surface and freezing, tree root movement, or the original tarmac being laid too thin. Surface cracks let water in, which accelerates the damage. Left unaddressed, small cracks widen and the base beneath softens, turning a resurfacing job into a full replacement.

  • Why is my driveway sinking or going uneven?

    Sinking usually means the sub-base has compressed or washed out, often because of poor drainage or an undersized stone layer when the drive was first laid. Clay-heavy ground that shifts seasonally is another common cause in Cambridgeshire. Resurfacing over a sunken base will not fix it; the sub-base needs to be rebuilt first.

  • Will a tarmac driveway work if my drive slopes or does not drain well?

    Yes, provided drainage is designed into the job from the start. A sloped drive can be graded so water runs to a channel or soakaway rather than pooling. If drainage is currently poor, adding a channel drain at the base of the slope solves the problem. See Driveway Drainage & Channel Drains for more detail.

  • Is tarmac right for a house driveway, or is it just for roads?

    Tarmac is widely used for residential driveways. Domestic-grade tarmac is laid at a finer texture than road surfacing, giving a neater finish that suits a house frontage. It handles standard car and van loads without issue and is one of the faster surfaces to install, which reduces disruption.

  • How long does a tarmac driveway usually last?

    A properly laid tarmac driveway with a compacted sub-base typically lasts 15 to 25 years before it needs significant attention. Longevity depends on the thickness of the tarmac layer, the quality of the sub-base, drainage, and how heavily the surface is used. Sealing the surface every few years extends its life.

  • Will the new tarmac hold up to regular car use?

    Yes. Tarmac laid to the correct depth on a compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base handles daily car and light van traffic without rutting or cracking. Turning on the spot in hot weather can mark a fresh surface, so avoid tight steering manoeuvres for the first few weeks after laying.

More questions about Tarmac Driveways?

Tell Us About Your Driveway

Describe the size, existing surface and drainage and we’ll arrange a local contractor to survey and quote the full job.

Request a Survey