Drainage for tarmac drives in Greater Manchester
Across in Greater Manchester, we cover 47 towns for drainage jobs, including Manchester, Oldham and Wigan.

How much does tarmac driveway drainage cost in Greater Manchester?
Rates in Greater Manchester follow the North West, about 3% below our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Linear drainage channel | £58–£116 per metre |
| Soakaway or crate unit | £630–£1,950 each |
Towns we cover in Greater Manchester
- Manchester
- Oldham
- Wigan
- Bolton
- Stockport
- Salford
- Rochdale
- Sale
- Bury
- Altrincham
- Middleton
- Ashton-under-Lyne
- Leigh
- Stretford
- Urmston
- Chadderton
- Eccles
- Tyldesley
- Hyde
- Walkden
- Prestwich
- Radcliffe
- Cheadle Hulme
- Heywood
- Denton
- Stalybridge
- Ashton-in-Makerfield
- Westhoughton
- Farnworth
- Saddleworth
- Hindley
- Golborne
- Droylsden
- Whitefield
- Swinton
- Royton
- Atherton
- Dukinfield
- Failsworth
- Hazel Grove
- Irlam
- Horwich
- Bramhall
- Ramsbottom
- Bredbury
- Hale
- Longsight
Postcode areas: BL, M, OL, SK, WA, WN.
What is included?
Driveway drainage is the plan for where rainwater goes once it hits a sealed tarmac surface: the falls that move it, the channels or gullies that catch it, and the soakaway, border or approved drain that takes it away.
- Falls set across the drive, typically 1 in 60 to 1 in 80
- Linear channel at garages, doors or the bottom of a slope
- Soakaway or crate unit sized to the area and ground
- Runoff directed to borders or a permeable strip
- Connection to an existing surface-water drain where allowed
- No connection to the foul sewer
Rules in Greater Manchester
In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).
Drainage for tarmac drives in Greater Manchester: questions
How much does tarmac driveway drainage cost in Greater Manchester?
As a 2026 guide, about £58–£116 per metre inc VAT in Greater Manchester. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Greater Manchester do you cover?
Manchester, Oldham, Wigan, Bolton, Stockport, Salford, Rochdale, Sale and more.
How long does tarmac driveway drainage take?
Usually part of the main build; a soakaway adds about a day.
Can driveway water run onto the road?
Highway authorities generally do not want new drives discharging onto the road or footway, and in England it can mean the drive needs planning permission. Keep it on your own land where you can.
Other services in Greater Manchester
Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED