Gravel drive problem

[simonc]

Hi Guys,
Just moved into a new house and the previous occupant has layed a gravel drive.
When I say gravel drive, he's dug out the front garden to a depth of about 5 inches or so then dumped a few ton of gravel, decent sized stones.
Problem is, every time I try to drive on it, the car sinks straight through to the soil below, getting off involves a decent spin of wheels and stones kicked around.
Next Door Neighbour reckons it was only done a couple fo months ago.
No sign of anything under the gravel except soil...

So I guess the questions are;
It needs replacing right?
Anything I can do in the meantime to ease the problem - could do without spending money on it right now...expensive game moving house
It's approx a 15ft square area with a 6ftx3ft path up side of the house - If it has to be replaced what's the most cost effective option....i.e. cheap!
Based in Rugby

Thanks in advance for any advice/help/tips

Cheers

Simon

[jonnyboyentire]

Gravel uplifted, scalpings, membrane then 2" gravel back down. It's only about 20 sqm so not prohibitive in cost vs the damage caused by flying gravel!

[GB_Groundworks]

erm as much as jonny might be helping you on price its not what i would do.

it is not advisable to lay gravel 2" deep, scalpings are cheap but sub standard subbase,

to take car traffic, has to be minimum 100mm of preferably mot type 1 or crusher run, if bad ground lay the mot on a geotextile such as terram 1000 not hte crap weed fabric from diy house, then consolidate properly with roller or whacker, then lay the gravel back to a depth of 20-30mm then compact the the gravel, you dont want the membrane between he gravel and the subbase.

this is all explained in detail on the main site



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1284581899

[DNgroundworks]

Defo no membrane

[jonnyboyentire]

Price was exactly my reasoning, and i typed them in the wrong order cos i was on the phone!!

Note to self, stop multitasking

[Suggers]

Giles beat me to it - you can't just put gravel straight down on a membrane -
Here's the page - scroll down a bit..

[simonc]

Thanks for advice guys