Tarmac paths and footpaths in Christchurch

Tarmac path prices in Christchurch

Guide prices below are for Christchurch, adjusted for the South West, where surfacing rates run about 3% above our UK midpoint.

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid	£57–£93 per m²
Example: 10 m² path	£680–£1,100
Example: 20 m² path	£1,250–£2,050
Example: 40 m² path	£2,250–£3,700

As a 2026 guide in Christchurch, tarmac path work runs at about £57–£93 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,250–£2,050. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Do I need permission in Christchurch?

Repairs, paths and edging work rarely need planning permission. 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.

What is included in a tarmac path?

Garden paths, side passages and footpaths in hot-laid tarmac, edged with timber, kerbs or blocks.

Excavation to about 150–180 mm with spoil removed
MOT Type 1 base, about 100 mm, compacted
Timber, kerb or block edging on both sides
Binder and surface course laid hot by hand and rolled
Gentle cross-fall so water runs off to the border

Christchurch: the local details

Christchurch at a glance. We reach Christchurch on our Dorset survey days; Bournemouth is 4 miles away.

Postcodes: BH6, BH23, BH7
Area: Dorset
Nearest towns: Bournemouth (4 miles), New Milton (5 miles), Ferndown (7 miles), Poole (9 miles)
Pricing: South West, about 3% above our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Bournemouth, New Milton, Ferndown, Poole, Wimborne Minster.

Layer by layer

Christchurch: common questions

Is the survey in Christchurch 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.

Do I need permission for a tarmac path in Christchurch?

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 quickly can work start in Christchurch?

Often 1–2 days. We book Christchurch surveys alongside other jobs in Dorset, and give you dates once the specification is agreed.

Do you cover all of Christchurch?

We cover Christchurch including BH6, BH23, BH7, and nearby Bournemouth, New Milton, Ferndown.

Other work in Christchurch

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