Driveways and paths · Kent

Red tarmac driveways in Ashford, Kent

Homeowners in Ashford, Kent ask us about red tarmac driveways for the same reason: a surface that stays flat, drains properly and still looks tidy in ten years. That comes down to the build underneath.

ASHFORD, KENT GUIDE£82–£127 per m² inc VAT
Red tarmac front driveway with a charcoal block edge outside a Victorian house, typical of red tarmac driveway work

How much should I budget in Ashford, Kent?

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

ItemGuide price (inc VAT)
Red tarmac drive, full dig-out and new sub-base£82–£127 per m²
Example: 30 m² drive£2,700–£4,150
Example: 50 m² drive£4,100–£6,350
Example: 80 m² drive£6,600–£10,100

As a 2026 guide in Ashford, Kent, red tarmac driveway work runs at about £82–£127 per m² including VAT, so a 80 m² drive is roughly £6,600–£10,100. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Planning and kerb rules for Ashford, Kent

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. Any new or widened crossing over the pavement needs approval from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).

How it is built

Surface course20–30 mm red pigmented AC 6Binder course50–60 mm black AC 20Sub-baseabout 150 mm MOT Type 1Edgescharcoal blocks or kerbsINDICATIVE CROSS-SECTION · NOT TO SCALE

What we do on a red tarmac driveway

Red tarmac is ordinary asphalt with a red pigment, and often red aggregate, in the surface course, laid on the same sub-base and binder course as a black tarmac drive.

  • Full dig-out and MOT Type 1 sub-base, about 150 mm
  • Black AC 20 binder course, about 50–60 mm
  • Red pigmented surface course, about 20–30 mm
  • Contrasting block or kerb border as edge restraint
  • Falls and drainage set as for any new drive

Covering Ashford, Kent

Ashford, Kent at a glance. Ashford, Kent is 18 miles from Maidstone, and we survey there as part of Kent cover.

Postcodes
TN24, TN23, TN25, TN26
Area
Kent
Nearest towns
Faversham (12 miles), Canterbury (13 miles), Folkestone (13 miles), Sittingbourne (15 miles)
Pricing
South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals
The highway authority

The same service is available in Faversham, Canterbury, Folkestone, Sittingbourne, Whitstable.

Ashford, Kent: common questions

How long does a red tarmac driveway take in Ashford, Kent?

Usually 2–4 working days. We book Ashford, Kent surveys alongside other jobs in Kent, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Which Ashford, Kent postcodes do you cover?

We cover Ashford, Kent including TN24, TN23, TN25, TN26, and nearby Faversham, Canterbury, Folkestone.

Can I get a free survey in Ashford, Kent?

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.

Do I need permission for a red tarmac driveway in Ashford, Kent?

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).

Other work in Ashford, Kent

Ready for a price in Ashford, Kent? Use the guide price tool or send the form, and we'll arrange a visit.

Free survey for new surfacing

Red tarmac driveways in Ashford, Kent: 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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