Tar and chip driveways in Tyne and Wear
We survey and price tar and chip driveways across Tyne and Wear, from Newcastle upon Tyne to Sunderland and South Shields, with every layer written into the quote.
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Tyne and Wear?
Rates in Tyne and Wear follow the North East, about 7% below our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tar and chip drive with a new sub-base | £42–£70 per m² |
| Example: 50 m² drive | £2,100–£3,500 |
| Example: 100 m² drive | £4,200–£7,000 |
| Example: 200 m² drive | £7,950–£13,250 |
Towns we cover in Tyne and Wear
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Sunderland
- South Shields
- Gateshead
- Washington
- Tynemouth
- Wallsend
- Newburn
- North Shields
- Whitley Bay
- Felling
- Jarrow
- Gosforth
- Hebburn
- Whickham
- Ryton
- Blaydon-on-Tyne
Postcode areas: NE, SR, TF, WV.
What is included?
Tar and chip, also called surface dressing, is a layer of bitumen sprayed onto a prepared base and immediately covered with stone chippings, which are rolled in so the surface looks like gravel but behaves like a bound drive.
- Base prepared: new MOT Type 1 sub-base, or an existing sound tarmac or stone base
- Edges set with kerbs, setts or cobbles
- Hot bitumen or emulsion sprayed evenly
- Chippings spread straight onto the binder
- Rolled to bed the stones in
- Second coat where a double dressing is specified
Rules in Tyne and Wear
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. A vehicle crossing over the footway is a separate approval, from the highway authority (the county or unitary council).
Tar and chip driveways in Tyne and Wear: questions
How much does a tar and chip driveway cost in Tyne and Wear?
As a 2026 guide, about £42–£70 per m² inc VAT in Tyne and Wear. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Tyne and Wear do you cover?
Newcastle upon Tyne, Sunderland, South Shields, Gateshead, Washington, Tynemouth, Wallsend, Newburn and more.
How long does a tar and chip driveway take?
Often 1–3 days depending on base work.
Will the stones come loose?
A few loose chippings are normal at first and are swept up. Once bedded in by traffic, the surface holds well. A double dressing gives a tighter finish.
Other services in Tyne and Wear
Get a written tarmac 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