Edges, drainage and kerbs

Edging and kerbs for tarmac drives

Tarmac does not hold its own edge. Without a restraint, the sides spread under traffic, the stone base washes out and the drive crumbles from the outside in. The edging is also where most of the design choice sits.

GUIDE£25–£55 per metre inc VAT
Tarmac drive edge held by concrete block edging beside a flower bed

Edge restraint is a solid line of kerbs, blocks or setts bedded and haunched in concrete along the sides of a tarmac surface, so the material cannot spread sideways or break away when wheels run near the edge.

What is included in tarmac driveway edging?

  • Line and level set out
  • Trench dug for the kerb and its concrete bed
  • Kerbs, blocks or setts bedded on concrete
  • Concrete haunch on the back of the edge
  • Tarmac finished tight to the edge
  • Drop kerbs or flush details at gates and lawns

How is it built?

Edge unitkerb, block or settBedconcrete, about 100 mmHaunchconcrete behind the edgeJointtight to the tarmacINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

How much does tarmac driveway edging cost?

As a 2026 guide at our UK midpoint rate, £25–£55 per metre inc VAT. Edging, drainage and access are itemised separately where they apply.

ItemGuide price (inc VAT)
Kerb or block-paved edging£25–£55 per metre

Rates vary by region:

RegionGuide (inc VAT)
London£30–£66 per metre
South East£28–£61 per metre
East of England£26–£58 per metre
South West£26–£57 per metre
West Midlands£25–£55 per metre
East Midlands£24–£54 per metre
North West£24–£53 per metre
Yorkshire and the Humber£24–£53 per metre
North East£23–£51 per metre
Wales£24–£52 per metre
Scotland£24–£54 per metre
Northern Ireland£22–£48 per metre

Guides only. Your survey turns these into a fixed written price. Full price list · Guide price tool

When it suits

  • Every new drive and path
  • Repairing crumbling edges on older drives
  • Adding a decorative border to plain tarmac

Watch out for

  • Edging laid on loose sand without a haunch will move
  • Flush edges next to lawns need a firm bed to stop mower damage
  • Raised kerbs can trap water unless falls are planned

How long does it take and how long does it last?

On site
Usually part of the main build
Lifespan
As long as the drive, if haunched properly

Do I need planning permission?

It depends where you live and where the water goes.

  • 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.
  • Wales: New front hardstanding should be porous or drain to a permeable area within the property, and work covering 100 m² or more with drainage effects usually needs SAB approval first.
  • Scotland: A hard surface between the house and a road is permitted development only if it is porous or drains to a porous area within the property, whatever its size.
  • Northern Ireland: More than 5 m² of hard surface in front of a house should be porous or drain to a porous area within the property; DfI Roads approves dropped kerbs.

Dropped kerbs always need the highway authority's approval: the council in England, Wales and Scotland, and DfI Roads in Northern Ireland. Read the full planning guide.

What happens next?

  1. Tell us about the job

    Use the guide price tool, the form, WhatsApp or the phone. A postcode, rough size and a couple of photos are enough to start.

  2. Survey and measure

    We check the ground, levels, edges, drainage and access, and the planning and kerb position where it applies.

  3. Written specification and price

    You get an itemised quote listing every layer, the edging, drainage, waste and VAT. The price is fixed once the spec is agreed.

  4. Build day

    Dig-out and base first, then hot binder and surface course rolled in, edges finished and the site cleared. You get aftercare notes before we leave.

Edging and kerbs for tarmac: questions

How much does tarmac edging cost?

As a 2026 guide, about £25–£55 per metre including VAT for kerbs or a single block border on a concrete bed and haunch. Granite setts and double borders cost more.

Does a tarmac drive need edging?

Yes. Edge restraint stops the tarmac spreading and crumbling. A drive without it usually fails at the sides first.

Can you add a border to my existing drive?

Often, by cutting a strip back from the edge and setting new blocks or setts on concrete. It also repairs a crumbling edge at the same time.

Blocks, kerbs or setts?

Concrete kerbs are the most practical; blocks give a decorative border; granite setts suit period houses and cost the most. All need a concrete bed and haunch.

Where do we offer tarmac driveway edging work?

Across the UK. Choose your area for local prices and towns.

Related services

Free survey for new surfacing

Get a written quote for edging and kerbs for tarmac

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
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