We will need to get our driveway re-surfaced in the next few months, building work and lots of coming and going have seen to it looking like a bit of a mud bath lately, it wasn't great in the first place.
Its about 300M, about 15-20 degrees steep, overhanging trees and not much sunshine.
Due to the trees and sunshine I understand tarmac is out, would grow moss in no time.
Concrete is a little industrial, and would probably have the same issue as above.
So I'm thinking it has to be either a geotextile membrane to keep the mud separate, then angular gravel and mesh to keep it all in place
Or a geotextile then a good layer of type one compacted down well
Thinks like block paving and resin are obviously not an option due to cost and setting
Bitmac will go mossy in such an environment, but there are *very* good biocides, suh as Wet And Forget, which would keep that well under control with a twice-yearly application.
Concrete can be made to look very naturalistic if it's retarded and exposed - like this National Park pathway in Snowdonia.
Gravel, whether in mesh, in grid/cell pavers, or loose, will be colonised by weds unless there's a regular weedkiller regime, and you also have to contend with the constant loss of gravel and subsequent topping-up.
No matter what you choose, entropy happens so there will have to be some maintenance. Gravel would be cheapest, but most maintenance-intensive. Not much to choose in terms of cost between bitmac and concrete, nor in terms of maintenance requirements, so it all comes down to what YOU think looks best.
