New tarmac driveways in Bedford

How much should I budget in Bedford?

Local guide rates for Bedford (the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint):

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
New black tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base	£63–£100 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive	£2,100–£3,300
Example: 50 m² drive	£3,150–£5,000
Example: 80 m² drive	£5,050–£8,000

As a 2026 guide in Bedford, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,050–£8,000. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Bedford?

In England, householder permitted development (Class F of the 2015 General Permitted Development Order) lets you lay a hard surface in front of a house without planning permission if it is porous, or if the rainwater is directed to a permeable area within the property. If the area is more than 5 m² and neither applies, you need permission. Standard dense tarmac is not porous, so a dense tarmac drive needs a lawn, border, channel to a soakaway or other permeable route for its water. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

Covering Bedford

Bedford at a glance. We cover Bedford as part of our regular Bedfordshire rounds.

Postcodes: MK40, MK41, MK44
Area: Bedfordshire
Nearest towns: Kempston (2 miles), Ampthill (8 miles), Biggleswade (9 miles), St Neots (10 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Kempston, Ampthill, Biggleswade, St Neots, Newport Pagnell.

Layer by layer

What is included in a new tarmac driveway?

A new tarmac driveway is built from the ground up: the old surface and soil are dug out, a compacted stone sub-base is laid, then a hot binder course and a finer surface course are spread and rolled, and the edges are held by kerbs or blocks.

Break out and remove the old surface and spoil
Geotextile membrane where the ground is soft or clay
Concrete-haunched kerbs or a block-paved border as edge restraint
Binder course (AC 20 dense), about 50–60 mm, laid hot and rolled
Surface course (AC 6 dense), about 20–30 mm, laid hot and rolled

Questions about new tarmac driveways in Bedford

Do you work in my part of Bedford?

We cover Bedford including MK40, MK41, MK44, and nearby Kempston, Ampthill, Biggleswade.

How quickly can work start in Bedford?

Usually 2–4 working days for a typical drive, longer with drainage or a dropped kerb. We book Bedford surveys alongside other jobs in Bedfordshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

What is the price of a new tarmac driveway in Bedford?

As a 2026 guide in Bedford, new tarmac driveway work runs at about £63–£100 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £5,050–£8,000. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

Can I get a free survey in Bedford?

Yes for new surfacing such as drives, paths, private roads and car parks. Small repairs are often priced from photos; if a visit is needed for a repair-only job, we tell you any charge first.

More we do in Bedford

Tell us what you have in mind for Bedford and we'll book a survey and put the specification in writing.