The brief
Loose gravel that had spread across the pavement and into the lawn for years. Two cars, a caravan in summer, and a client who wanted something that would still look sharp in a decade.
What we found
Gravel over bare earth with no membrane, so it had sunk into the subsoil and turned to mud in patches. The drive also had no edge restraint at all, which is why it kept migrating onto the footpath.
What we did
Excavated to 300mm to take the caravan weight, membrane, 250mm compacted Type 1, and 50mm sharp sand screed. Charcoal and buff blocks laid in a 45-degree herringbone — the strongest pattern for vehicle loading — with a double soldier course border and haunched concrete edge restraint throughout.
Day by day
- Day 1
Excavation and muck-away, membrane down, sub-base in and compacted in three passes.
- Day 2
Edge restraints set and haunched, screed laid, main herringbone field started from the garage end.
- Day 3
Cuts finished by eye around the bay window, soldier course completed, whole drive vibrated and polymeric sand brushed in.
★★★★★New block paving installed — very hard workers indeed. Would highly recommend.
The Ashworths — Brownsover, Rugby
The result
Three cars park on it comfortably and the caravan sits on the reinforced section without rutting. No gravel on the pavement.
