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Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 5:04 pm
by daysleeper
We are building a driveway to service our new house. As part of our planning permission we have to "hard surface" the access as far back as our gate (an area of around 30 sq M) then we are gravelling the rest (its a long drive and gravel is about all we can affoard).
However, our the initial quote from our local contractor was for £3000 to bitmac the area outside the gate, though this included moving a lampost (£400) a drop kerb and a fair bit of bulldozering to bridge a ditch.
In the end the council moved the lampost and the guys doing the rest of the groundworks have done all the prep work including bridging the ditch and laying a 100mm base of hardcore.
All that really needs done now is the kerbing and then laying the 2 layers of bitmac....BUT based on what Tony has said in the tarmac section of the main site it hardly seems worth it for such a small area.
The contractor is coming back this week to re-quote based on what now needs done but as his initial quote was pretty darn high I'm not conviced he can be bothered. Any thoughts as to alternatives or what would be a reasonable price for this?
Posted: Sun May 21, 2006 5:55 pm
by AndyMorley
From what I've read on this site and elsewhere, some of the self-binding gravels sound like they're worth considering. You see them a lot on National Trust kind of places and they're pretty hard.
Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 1:43 pm
by Tony McC
Self-binding gravel is not likely to be classed as a 'hard' surface by the local council. What they mean is a solid, bound surface, so they'll be pushing for bitmac, concrete or some form of paving.
Small areas of bitmac (owt less than 60m² or so) are ridiculously expensive, so consider using concrete or block paving as a much cheaper alternative.
Posted: Sun Jun 04, 2006 2:57 pm
by daysleeper
Well the new quote is back for the drop kerb, bitmac, some plain edging and a 3m run of drain and its HIGHER than the previous quote.
The council requires bitmac, concrete or block paving and prefers bitmac to match the surrounding pavement but at that price I'm seriously tempted to get someone else in to do the drop kerb and then using the fine guidance of this site (and tony's book) block pave the rest of it myself.
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 12:02 pm
by LuckyPants
If you are going to block pave the area, do the drop kerbs yourself as well. These are easy to do, I used 6 'council' kerbs as block paving restraints accross the gate opening. Just make sure you have an assitant for picking up / laying.
Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 10:58 pm
by daysleeper
I would but the council require an "approved" contractor and 5 million in public liability insurance before they will let you touch the kerbs round here, and my neighbours are exactly the types to grass me up.
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 5:31 pm
by Tony McC
Yes: as I've stated before, but it's about time it was repeated, private householders and non-approved contractors are NOT allowed to alter or amend existing kerb lines on a public highway.
The kerbs belong to the council, not to the house outside which they lie, and if the council allowed any old grunt to change full kerbs for crossing kerbs whenever and wherever they liked, there'd be anarchy. By enforcing the law, the councils can ensure that any dropped crossing is constructed to the correct standards, that any sub-surface services are properly protected, and that any accidents or incidents that might occur during the works are properly insured and undertaken by operatives that have (allegedly) undergone a safety training course for working on the highways.
I know it can seem a bit picky when it's your drive and you know you could drop the kerbs yourself in a couple of hours, but it really is better left to "professionals". A mini-digger or pick in the wrong place can go straight through a gas pipe and blow you to kingdom come.
One day, when I've recovered from the stress of writing the last book, I'll write another detailing all the incidents that have happened while installing dropped crossings for various councils in the north-west of England. To whet your appetite, I'll just mention that a stolen police BMW motorbike, a couple of naked, sexually-frustrated housewives, and just what happens when a Volvo hits a half-filled skip at 40+ mph will all be featured!
Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:43 pm
by daysleeper
The benefit of getting multiple quotes, next one has come in at £1600 including £700 to do the dropper. Just waiting for one more quote to come in.
Oh and the road licence is £70 around here and takes up to 7 weeks! I dunno what they are doing for 7 weeks, individually counting the proposed number of stones in the aggregate?
Just why were 2 naked housewives on a stolen police BMW motorcycle?
Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 9:37 pm
by Tony McC
You'll have to buy the book! :p
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2006 12:18 pm
by LuckyPants
Tony McC wrote:Yes: as I've stated before, but it's about time it was repeated, private householders and non-approved contractors are NOT allowed to alter or amend existing kerb lines on a public highway.
Ahh Sorry, had not occurred to me that we were talking roadside kerbs here.... I'll get me coat.
Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2006 12:21 am
by Suggers
Lucky Pants - your last line made me larf me 'ead off - Fair play........... where'd you get a name like that ?
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:45 pm
by LuckyPants
I used to do a lot of whitewater kayaking. Wore the same lucky red pants for some 20 odd years and they got me through some fairly major epics. They became as infamous as I was. As they crumbled into dust, so did my appetite for the sport and these days I tend to watch my kids...
I'm taking this week off to watch the kids in European Cup for Freestyle Kayaking, being held in Nottingham this year. My daughter goes in the Elite category for GB, my son will be in the open category.
And that is about as far off topic as is possible to get on this board.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:01 am
by Suggers
Wow - the best of luck to 'em. Have a great week.
Posted: Fri Aug 18, 2006 3:04 pm
by LuckyPants
If anyone read my last (off topic post), then Let you all know that my daughter won the european champs and is now officially brilliant! 
If anyone with a company or just loads of money would like to sponsor her to the World Championships in USA next year, let us know! 
my son was rear ended in his car two days before the competition and did not take part due to whiplash. He was gutted, but stoked for his sister.
Can be seen on Sky SportNation over next month or so.