Roots manoeuvre - Ground works

[dafulang]

Hi, I hope you can help with my prehaps somewhat basic query. I've trawled through your excellent site but still have a few niggling doubts in my head which I'd like to iron out before I set about ripping up the front garden and block pave it as a short drive/car standing area.

My first question is regarding tree roots. There is a well established Sycamore tree in the front garden close to where I want to lay the paving. When clearing the ground of weeds (soil to be used in back garden) I discovered that some of the rrots are fairly large in size - one fork already broken! Obviously I'll have to remove the roots but my question is - will they regrow and disrupt the paving? I don't want to go through the hassle of laying paving if I'm going to have to relay it all in a few years time.

Secondly, I've rang round the local building supliers for prices and the average price for "MOT roadstone" (which they all said I needed) is £30/tonne plus VAT. By way of comparison, skip hire companies have said that "Type 1 crushed hardcore" is suitable and costs only £5/tonne. Will I be ok using the cheaper option?

Finally, Looking through the brochures I quite like the look of some of the tumbles sets which are laid in a random pattern of three different sized blocks. Will this be strong enough for a small car standing area (only 6m from front booundary to house) and adjoining patio, or will I have to use standard bricks in a stronger herringbone pattern? The reason I ask is I'm unsure if the tumbled type sets are regarded as "interlocking".

Grateful for any advice you can give and sorry if these queries are are a bit low level.

Many thanks,

Dafulang

[bobhughes]

Two tree questions in one day?

Sycamores are bloody big trees and have roots to match. Not suitable for gardens at all really. I think you need an expert to have a look before you damage the roots. If the tree fell down in 5 years time you could be liable for damages big time.

Have a look here for some useful info.

[dafulang]

Thanks for the quick reply - seems like my basic query just got a bit more complicated. I've been told that the Sycamore was a "special miniature version" although its still the size of the house! Ideally I'd get rid but I think its fifty years old and I've been told I'll need planning permission. I'm guessing that the problems with the drive would aid my case.

Can any one help on my other two queries?

Thanks

[dafulang]

Sorry for posting a follow up on this, I'm just wondering if anybody can offer any advice on the two other questions above. Further apologies if the answer is already listed on this site. If you can point me to the right location that would be great.

To summarise my questions,
1. Is "Type 1 crushed hardcore" from a skip hire company the same as "Type 1 MOT" from a builders merchants? They have both told me "its what you want" but theres about a £25per tonne price difference?

2. Would a standard stretcher type pattern using, for example, Marshall's Tugula or Drivesett be strong enough for a short (6m) car standing area at the front of the property. The reason I ask is that many sources (including this site) advise that herringbone or "inter-locking" should be used for drives.

Please help expand my miniature brain!

Thanks