Gravel Driveways in Manchester
We lay gravel driveways for homes across Manchester, on a firm base that takes the weight of a car.
- Quotes in writing
- 20 areas covered
Manchester Resin Drives lays gravel driveways for homes in Manchester and nearby towns. We dig out the ground, lay and pack a stone base, and spread the gravel on top, with an edge to hold it in. If you want the look of stone without the loose bits, we also lay resin bound driveways, where the stones are fixed in clear resin.
Gravel and planning permission
The gravel drives we lay let rain soak straight through, and government guidance names gravel as a surface you can lay on a front drive of any size without planning permission.
Good and bad points
Government guidance calls loose gravel the simplest kind of drive to build. A layer of gravel or shingle goes over the sub-base, which is a layer of packed stone that spreads the weight of the car so the soil underneath is not overloaded.
The guidance lists the good points: it is simple to build and look after, cheap, easy to get hold of, and easy to mix with plants. It also lists the bad ones:
- the gravel scatters, or gets pushed into waves
- it is not suited to steep drives
- it is not suited to wheelchairs
Keeping the gravel on the drive
Government guidance says a strip of block paving or asphalt at the entrance helps stop gravel being lost and spread off the drive. We lay that strip across the mouth of the drive so the stones don't get carried onto the pavement.
On a sloping drive, or one with a lot of turning, we can lay the gravel in a plastic grid. Government guidance says there are plastic systems that strengthen the ground so cars can drive on it without making ruts, and these can be used with gravel. It also says gravel in these systems may still need sweeping, mostly on a slope.
Wheel tracks
Government guidance also describes a drive with just two paved strips where the wheels go, laid in blocks, asphalt or concrete, with gravel or plants between and around them. It says each track is usually 300mm to 600mm wide, and the water must run off the tracks into the gravel or planting.
The guidance says that if the tracks cover less than 5 square metres, you won't need planning permission. We can lay this kind of drive with gravel between the tracks.
What to get in writing
Ask for these in writing, whoever you hire:
- The size and colour of the gravel.
- How deep the stone base is.
- What edges the drive, and what goes across the entrance.
- Whether a grid goes under the gravel.
Questions about gravel driveways in Manchester
How do I look after a gravel drive?
We suggest raking it back level now and then. Government guidance also says to clear up leaves, mud and litter on a permeable drive before they clog the surface.
Can I change from gravel to resin later?
Yes, you can. We can take up the gravel and lay a resin bound drive on a new base. We'll look at the base on the visit.
Is gravel noisy?
The gravel we lay crunches under feet and tyres, so you will hear when someone comes up the drive.
Can you add gravel borders to a block or tarmac drive?
Yes, we can lay gravel borders beside block paving or tarmac, and they give some of the rain a place to soak in.
Will I need a dropped kerb for a new gravel drive?
You will if the car crosses the pavement to reach it. The Planning Portal says driving over a pavement onto your property without one is illegal. Our dropped kerbs page explains the council side.
Get a quote for a gravel drive
Send us the quote form with your postcode and the rough size of the drive, and we'll come out, measure up, bring some gravel samples and give you a written quote. To see the other drives we lay, go to the Manchester Resin Drives home page.
Ready to talk about your resin driveway job?
Send the quote form with your postcode and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.