The Brew Cabin

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 10:25 am**

Hi

I'm drawing plans for a planning application to put a drive way into my garden. I'm considering a 6m level parking bay and a ramp of 2.5m long falling 0.54m down to the road. (all 3m wide).

If my sums are correct that's a gradient of 21.6% or 1 in 4.63.

I've mocked up this slope with some canes and it doesn't look too steep but...
an old post to this site refers to 1 in 10 as very steep
a local raod which is very steep is signed as 20%
(but obvioulsly I can still drive up it

)

My aim is to keep as much of the garden as possible level but I don't want to end up with realy difficult access. Any thoughts on my preposed gradient would be appreciated.

Also, I'm thinking of concrete with a brushed surface rather than tarmac on the grounds of grip and cost. Am I thinking correct?

Many thanks
Ann

Posted: **Tue May 31, 2005 11:09 am**

1:10 is steep for pedestrians and is considered too steep for disabled persons - the regulation is a maximum gradient of 1:12 for not more than 5 metres. However, for vehicles, 1:5 is not too much of a problem - local cars are coping on that 20% gradient, which is the same as 1:5.

You need to be careful that you don't create a grounding spot where the gradient meets the flat. Use a gradual transition to ensure no point is more than 150mm higher than a 2.4m straightedge.

Tarmac on a gradient such as this is never a good idea. It's difficult to lay (laying it is not too bad: it's the compacting that is a nightmare) and it tends to scuff too easily. Concrete, either cast in situ or as concrete block paving/flags is a much better option.

Posted: **Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:18 am**

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
Ann

The Brew Cabin

Drive gradients - What's a realistic max gradient