Joining 2 driveways - Can they be levelled out easily?

[Michelle]

Hi.
Having finally made the decision to tackle the driveway myself (putting a gravel one down) I've spoken to our neighbours and they want to do the same, given the ££ savings doing it this way.

There is currently a brick wall (very old and tired) separating our driveways which we both want to remove. The only problem then, is that our driveway is approx 2-3 inches higher than theirs. After pulling up the concrete on both sides, what's the best way to level them out?
I'm thinking we'll have to lower ours and then create a step up to our front door.
All ideas/help very much appreciated. Thanks.

[danensis]

There's a saying "Good fences make good neighbours". You may be the best of friends now, but when the neighbours get a caravan, and park it three inches onto your side, so you can't quite get your car in, or they get a Chelsea Chariot, and take up more of your drive, that line down the middle can be quite useful.

The other thing you need to consider is drainage. If your side is lower, you will have to get rid of all the surface water. Can your drains or soakaway cope?

[dig dug dan]

danensis has a good point, and to add, they might be good neighbours now, but they could move, and who knows who you will get!
I would put some sort of dividing line along the boundary, even if it is just a soldier course of blocks.

[Michelle]

Thanks guys. It's a fair point - and definately one I'll consider. The neighbours want the wall to come down more than we do and we're not fussed either way as we're emigrating in 6 months time. We're renovating the house for sale before we go.

There shouldn't be too much problem re parking - as it's only the long part of the drive that joins, the square parts on both sides which we use for parking don't come near each other.

I'll check the drainage situation though.

But back to my original question! Any idea how we'd go about levelling the 2 driveways. Thanks.

[Tony McC]

A 2-3" difference (50-75mm) over the width of two driveways is nothing! It will be a simple matter of reducing your's and elevating the neighbour's, evening out the 'step' in the process.