Driveways and patios
Driveways and patios in Southport
Block paving, tarmac, resin, imprinted concrete, gravel, porcelain and Indian sandstone. We dig out the old drive, build it up properly underneath, sort the drainage and lay the surface you choose. Dropped kerbs too.
Driveways and patios we lay
Every surface below has its own page with more detail.
Block paving driveways
The classic drive. Lots of colours and patterns, and a single block can be lifted and relaid.
Tarmac driveways
Smooth, hard wearing and good value for bigger drives and long runs.
Resin driveways
A smooth stone finish with no loose gravel. Resin bound lets rain soak through.
Imprinted concrete driveways
Concrete pressed with a brick or stone pattern. One solid slab with no joints for weeds.
Gravel driveways
The natural look, quick to lay and lets the water drain away.
Patios
Porcelain and Indian sandstone, laid on a proper base with falls away from the house.
Tarmac repairs and resurfacing
Potholes, cracks and tired tarmac patched or resurfaced.
Dropped kerbs
A new or wider dropped kerb so you can drive onto your new drive.
Which surface is right for you?
A quick guide. We will talk it through with you when we see the job.
| Surface | Looks | Lets rain soak through | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Block paving | Classic, many colours and patterns | Only with permeable blocks | Top up the joint sand, deal with weeds |
| Tarmac | Smooth and plain, black or red | No, unless porous tarmac | Low |
| Resin bound | Smooth stone finish | Yes | Low, sweep and wash |
| Imprinted concrete | Brick or stone pattern | No | Reseal every few years |
| Gravel | Natural, loose stone | Yes | Rake and top up |
| Porcelain | Clean and modern | No, falls take the water away | Very low |
| Indian sandstone | Natural stone, every slab different | No, falls take the water away | Clean now and then |
The bit you never see
Most driveways that sink, crack or hold puddles have failed underneath, not on top. The surface is what you choose. The layers below are what make it last.
That means digging down to firm ground, a membrane, a compacted Type 1 sub-base, the right bed for the surface, and somewhere for the water to go. On the sandy ground around Southport and the coast, getting down to firm ground matters even more.
Do you need planning permission?
Usually not, if the drive is built the right way. In England a front driveway does not need planning permission if:
- it is 5 square metres or less, or
- it is permeable, so rain soaks through it (gravel, resin bound, permeable block paving), or
- the rain runs off onto a lawn or border on your own land, not onto the road.
Listed buildings, flats and some conservation areas have their own rules. We will tell you which applies when we look at the job.
Driving over the pavement?
You need a dropped kerb, and the council has to approve it before it is built. Driving over a full height kerb is not allowed and can damage pipes and cables under the pavement.
Dropped kerbsWhat a proper driveway quote covers
- 1Looking at the ground, the levels, the access and where the water will go
- 2Digging out the old drive or garden and taking it away on our own grab lorries
- 3A membrane and a compacted Type 1 sub-base
- 4Edging and kerbs so the surface cannot spread
- 5Drainage: channel drains, gullies or a soakaway if the drive needs them
- 6The surface you choose, laid to falls
- 7A dropped kerb, if you need one
- 8Clearing up when we finish
If a quote does not mention the sub-base and the drainage, ask why.
Where we lay driveways
From our yard on Upper Aughton Road in Southport we cover 30 miles, and further for larger jobs:
Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, Ormskirk, Burscough, Crosby, Maghull, Skelmersdale, Liverpool, Wigan, Preston, Chorley, Cheshire.
Every area we coverQuestions people ask
Do I need planning permission for a new driveway?
In England you do not need planning permission for a front driveway if it is permeable (it lets rain soak through, like gravel, resin bound or permeable block paving), or if the rain runs off onto a lawn or border on your own land. If it is over 5 square metres, not permeable and the water would run onto the road, you need planning permission. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation areas have their own rules. We will tell you which applies when we come and look.
Do I need permission for a dropped kerb?
Yes. A dropped kerb is on the public pavement, so the council has to approve it before it is built. We do dropped kerbs, see our dropped kerbs page.
Will you take the old driveway away?
Yes. Digging out and taking away the old surface and soil is part of the job, and we use our own grab lorries.
How long does a new driveway take?
It depends on the size, the surface and what we find underneath. We tell you how long your job will take when we give you the quote.
Which driveway lasts the longest?
Any surface lasts if what is underneath is done properly. Most drives that sink or crack have failed below the surface, not on top. That is why we put the work into the dig, the sub-base and the drainage.
Can you lay a patio as well?
Yes. We lay porcelain and Indian sandstone patios, and often do the drive and the back garden as one job.
Do you give a written quote?
Yes. We come and look at the job first, then give you a written quote so you know what is being done and what it costs before we start.
Send us a photo of your drive
Phone lines open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am to 1pm. WhatsApp a photo of the job any time.