Tarmac paths and footpaths in Oldham

What does a tarmac path cost in Oldham?

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

Item	Guide price (inc VAT)
Tarmac garden path or footpath, hand-laid	£53–£87 per m²
Example: 10 m² path	£640–£1,050
Example: 20 m² path	£1,150–£1,900
Example: 40 m² path	£2,150–£3,500

As a 2026 guide in Oldham, tarmac path work runs at about £53–£87 per m² including VAT, so a 10 m² path is roughly £640–£1,050. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

What we do on a tarmac path

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
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

How it is built

Rules that apply in Oldham

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.

Covering Oldham

Survey cover and pricing for Oldham. We cover Oldham as part of our regular Greater Manchester rounds.

Postcodes: OL1, OL8, OL4
Area: Greater Manchester
Nearest towns: Chadderton (1 mile), Royton (2 miles), Failsworth (3 miles), Middleton (3 miles)
Pricing: North West, about 3% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

The same service is available in Chadderton, Royton, Failsworth, Middleton, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Questions about tarmac paths in Oldham

Do I need permission for a tarmac path in Oldham?

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 Oldham?

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

Is the survey in Oldham 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 you cover all of Oldham?

We cover Oldham including OL1, OL8, OL4, and nearby Chadderton, Royton, Failsworth.

Other work in Oldham

Questions about tarmac paths in Oldham? Call, WhatsApp or use the form, and we'll talk it through.