New tarmac driveways in Cambridge

How much should I budget in Cambridge?

For Cambridge, we apply the East of England rate, about 5% above our UK midpoint. Your survey turns these ranges into a fixed price.

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 Cambridge, 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.

Cambridge: the local details

The key facts for Cambridge. Cambridge is one of the bigger places we cover in Cambridgeshire, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes: CB2, CB1, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB22, CB24
Area: Cambridgeshire
Nearest towns: St Ives (12 miles), Ely (15 miles), Huntingdon (16 miles), St Neots (16 miles)
Pricing: East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

Close to Cambridge: St Ives, Ely, Huntingdon, St Neots, March.

Planning and kerb rules for Cambridge

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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

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
Dig to formation level, usually around 230–250 mm below finished height
Geotextile membrane where the ground is soft or clay
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

Layer by layer

Cambridge: common questions

What approvals apply in Cambridge?

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. Dropped kerbs are approved by the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

How long will the work take at my Cambridge property?

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

How much does a new tarmac driveway cost in Cambridge?

As a 2026 guide in Cambridge, 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.

Is the survey in Cambridge free?

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.

Also in Cambridge

Send us a postcode, a rough size and a photo or two, and we'll come back with survey dates for Cambridge.