Tarmac paths and footpaths in East Sussex
From Brighton to the smaller towns in East Sussex, our tarmac paths quotes list the depths, edging, drainage and VAT so you can compare like with like.
How much does a tarmac path cost in East Sussex?
Rates in East Sussex follow the South East, about 10% above our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid | £61–£99 per m² |
| Example: 10 m² path | £730–£1,200 |
| Example: 20 m² path | £1,350–£2,200 |
| Example: 40 m² path | £2,400–£3,950 |
Towns we cover in East Sussex
- Brighton
- Eastbourne
- Hastings
- Hove
- Bexhill-on-Sea
- Hailsham
- Seaford
- Rottingdean
- Crowborough
- Portslade
- Peacehaven
- Uckfield
- Lewes
Postcode areas: BN, TN.
What is included?
A tarmac path is a lighter version of a drive build: a compacted stone base of around 100 mm, a binder course and a fine surface course, laid by hand and held in by timber edging, kerbs or blocks.
- Path set out to the line and width you want
- 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
Rules in East Sussex
Repairs, paths and edging work rarely need planning permission. 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.
How it is built
Tarmac paths and footpaths in East Sussex: questions
How much does a tarmac path cost in East Sussex?
As a 2026 guide, about £61–£99 per m² inc VAT in East Sussex. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in East Sussex do you cover?
Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Hove, Bexhill-on-Sea, Hailsham, Seaford, Rottingdean and more.
How long does a tarmac path take?
Often 1–2 days.
How thick should a tarmac footpath be?
For walking traffic, about 100 mm of compacted Type 1 with a 40–50 mm binder and a 20 mm surface course is a common build. If a mower or quad will use it, go thicker.
Other services in East Sussex
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