Driveways and paths · Berkshire

Permeable tarmac driveways in Reading

Planning a permeable tarmac driveway in Reading? We'll measure up, look at the edges and drainage, and set the specification out in writing before you commit to anything.

READING GUIDE£88–£138 per m² inc VAT
Porous asphalt driveway draining after rain with no standing water, typical of permeable tarmac driveway work

Permeable tarmac driveway prices in Reading

These Reading guide prices reflect rates in the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.

ItemGuide price (inc VAT)
Porous asphalt drive on a permeable stone base£88–£138 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive£2,900–£4,550
Example: 50 m² drive£4,400–£6,900
Example: 80 m² drive£7,050–£11,000

As a 2026 guide in Reading, permeable tarmac driveway work runs at about £88–£138 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £4,400–£6,900. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Layer by layer

Surface courseporous asphalt, open-gradedBinder courseporous asphalt baseStorage layeropen-graded Type 3 or 4/20 stone, depth to suitFormationgeotextile on the subsoilINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

Where we work in and around Reading

Survey cover and pricing for Reading. Reading is one of the bigger places we cover in Berkshire, so survey slots come round regularly.

Postcodes
RG1, RG4, RG30, RG31
Area
Berkshire
Nearest towns
Earley (3 miles), Wokingham (7 miles), Crowthorne (10 miles), Yateley (10 miles)
Pricing
South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals
The highway authority

The same service is available in Earley, Wokingham, Crowthorne, Yateley, Bracknell.

Do I need permission in Reading?

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. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.

What the price covers

A permeable tarmac drive uses porous asphalt, a mix with fewer fine particles so water passes through the gaps, laid on an open-graded stone base that stores the rain and lets it soak into the ground.

  • Ground check: how fast does the soil drain?
  • Geotextile separating layer on the formation
  • Open-graded permeable sub-base, often Type 3 or 4/20 stone
  • Overflow to a soakaway or border on slow-draining ground
  • Edge restraint that does not block the flow

Reading: common questions

Is the survey in Reading 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.

How much does a permeable tarmac driveway cost in Reading?

As a 2026 guide in Reading, permeable tarmac driveway work runs at about £88–£138 per m² including VAT, so a 50 m² drive is roughly £4,400–£6,900. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long does a permeable tarmac driveway take in Reading?

Usually 3–5 working days. We book Reading surveys alongside other jobs in Berkshire, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Do you work in my part of Reading?

We cover Reading including RG1, RG4, RG30, RG31, and nearby Earley, Wokingham, Crowthorne.

More we do in Reading

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

Free survey for new surfacing

Permeable tarmac driveways in Reading: get a written 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
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