Hi Great site. I have had a good look but can't find the answer! I am looking at changing my driveway (mixture of pea shingle and mud!) I would like to use weathered flint. I am being advised that the slope (approx 1.5m in 26m) is too large a slope for gravel - without rejects being concreted and bonded in to "trap" the gravel. In fact the contractor has quoted £12K for block paving (160 sq m) and £11K for the gravel option - but he is really pushing the block. My question is the slope really that bad for a standard gravel construction as per your site? Would a 3m strip of block bordering the road be wise?
Thanks
Gravel driveway - Mixed advice
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Tony McC
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1.5 metres over a 26m run is equivalent to roughly 1 in 18, which is just a bit much for an unbound gravel. If a client was insisting on using gravel on such a gradient, I'd push them to use a self-binding gravel, and warn them that there will be some migration, but not as much as there would be with a loose gravel. I'm not sure how well a 'weathered flint' would hold up as we don't get that type of material in the north, but as it is essentially limestone-based, it might be suitable.
I'm concerned that on a project of this scale, the contractor reckons there;s only a grand difference between using blocks and using gravel. I'm guessing that he really doesn't want you to have gravel!
If you do opt for a gravel, some form of 'trap' at the base of the slope will be essential, otherwise you risk losing your driveway to the public carriageway. A 3m wide strip of block paving would provide a platform from which the escaping gravel could be swept and returned to the top of the slope, but I'd consider installing such a strip somewhat like a 'speed hump' so that it works as more of a barrier to the gravel. If you used, say, a half-battered kerb laid on its back at the interface between blocks and gravel, that would help keep more of the gravel on the driveway and off the blockwork.
I'm concerned that on a project of this scale, the contractor reckons there;s only a grand difference between using blocks and using gravel. I'm guessing that he really doesn't want you to have gravel!
If you do opt for a gravel, some form of 'trap' at the base of the slope will be essential, otherwise you risk losing your driveway to the public carriageway. A 3m wide strip of block paving would provide a platform from which the escaping gravel could be swept and returned to the top of the slope, but I'd consider installing such a strip somewhat like a 'speed hump' so that it works as more of a barrier to the gravel. If you used, say, a half-battered kerb laid on its back at the interface between blocks and gravel, that would help keep more of the gravel on the driveway and off the blockwork.
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