Block paving and a sloped driveway - Block paving

[charliefox]

Hi

what a brilliant website (if only they were all this informative and inspired) - congrats to all involved. I have a couple of questions that I hope you can answer.

1. I would like to lay block paving with a decorative kerb on an existing tarmac driveway. The area is 100m2 and is near the coast and sits on sand. However, the driveway begins on a main road and slopes down to a bungalow. The slope is 6.5m long, 4m wide and drops 0.7m down to a level standing where building and garage exist. My car scrapes on the current surface as it enters from the road onto the drive and a small amount of reshaping is required to prevent this from occurring in the future. The property border on one side is an old larchlap fence (3ft), the other borders are all brick. I understand that removing the tarmac and creating a new sub base is required but could you please tell me:

a - do I need a retaining edge (wood?) along the old wooden fence for the sub base

b - how do I incorporate a lip or mound to even the slope

c - where do I start to lay the blocks - at the highest point or at a level point

d - what should I use to remove the existing tarmac - a kango? or a mini digger?

e - when do I lay the kerb stones

and finally (for now!)

f - how do I cut blocks that need to fit in the gaps at the end?

Any help will be greatfully received

Charlie

[Tony McC]

A - a sub-base doen't need a retaining edge. It should be underground, so is reatined in place by the sub-grade.

B - ??? Without seeing the site, it's impossible to say what would work best.

C - Always work from the lowest point and lay uphill. This prevent blocks slipping during the laying process.

D - A mini-digger should be able to excavate the existing bitmac.

E - Have you read any of the main website? This gives a step-by-step guide to the construction process.

F - You haven't read the website, have you?

[charliefox]

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I've read some of the website but there is so much site specific info that I may have missed some relevant details. I'll spend a couple of days perusing all the info available! In the meantime thanks for all your help