Driveway FAQs

In England, a new or replacement hard surface over 5 m² in a front garden normally needs planning permission unless it is permeable (such as resin-bound or permeable block paving) or the water is directed to a lawn, border or soakaway within your property. Listed buildings and some conservation areas can have extra restrictions. If in doubt, check with your local council (Trafford, Manchester, Stockport or Cheshire East) before work starts.

Yes. You must not drive over the pavement without an approved dropped kerb (vehicle crossing), and only the highway authority can approve it. In Sale, Altrincham, Timperley, Hale, Stretford and Urmston that is Trafford Council. In Chorlton, Didsbury and Wythenshawe it is Manchester City Council. Apply early, because it can take longer than the driveway itself.

You will need your landlord’s written permission before the work or any dropped kerb application. Housing associations often have their own process.

Each has strengths. Resin-bound is smooth, permeable and low-maintenance with lots of colour choices. Block paving is traditional, very hard-wearing, and can be lifted and re-laid for repairs. Tarmac is usually the most cost-effective and is quick to lay on large areas. We will explain the pros and cons for your drive at the survey.

Sometimes. Resin can go over existing tarmac or concrete that is sound, stable and draining properly. If the old surface is cracked, sunken or breaking up, it needs digging out and a new base. Resin laid over a failing drive will fail too.

Curing time depends on the resin system and the temperature. Foot traffic is usually possible much sooner than cars. We will give you clear timings on the day for your installation. Please follow them, because driving on resin too early can mark it.

Yes. Browse our Daltex resin colour swatches or use the driveway visualiser to try resin, tarmac and paving colours on a photo of your own drive. Then send us the design on WhatsApp.

Usually the falls are wrong, the base has sunk, or there is nowhere for the water to go. Resurfacing on its own will not fix it. The levels and drainage need correcting. See our driveway drainage guide.

A soakaway is an underground chamber or crate system that lets surface water soak into the ground on your property. It is one way to meet the front garden drainage rules when the surface itself is not permeable. Whether it works depends on the ground, so it should be sized from a percolation test.

Yes. Excavation, sub-base, edging, drainage and site preparation are a core part of what we do. See groundworks.

Yes. Quotes are free and there is no obligation. Call 07890 053070, message us on WhatsApp, or use the quote form with your postcode and a few photos.

We cover everywhere within 20 miles (32 km) of our base at 45 Marsland Road, Sale M33 3HP, measured in a straight line. That takes in virtually all of Greater Manchester (Trafford, Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Wigan), Warrington, Widnes and Runcorn, and north and east Cheshire including Wilmslow, Knutsford, Macclesfield, Congleton, Northwich and Winsford. If you are near the edge, such as Frodsham, Buxton or Rossendale, send us your postcode. See areas we cover.

Yes. As well as homes, we surface private roads, car parks and access routes. See services.

Yes. Our gallery has real MKB Surfacing job photos and before-and-after examples. You can also read customer reviews on Google, MyBuilder and Checkatrade, linked from our home page.