Tarmac paths and footpaths in Formby

Tarmac path prices in Formby

Local guide rates for Formby (the North West, 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 Formby, tarmac path work runs at about £53–£87 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,150–£1,900. Guide only; the survey confirms a fixed price.

Rules that apply in Formby

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 Formby

The key facts for Formby. Smaller towns such as Formby are surveyed alongside nearby jobs in Merseyside.

Postcodes: L37, L38
Area: Merseyside
Nearest towns: Maghull (6 miles), Southport (7 miles), Bootle (7 miles), Litherland (7 miles)
Pricing: North West, about 3% below our UK midpoint
Kerb approvals: The highway authority

We also cover nearby Maghull, Southport, Bootle, Litherland, Ormskirk.

What the price covers

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

Formby: common questions

Do I need permission for a tarmac path in Formby?

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).

Do you cover all of Formby?

We cover Formby including L37, L38, and nearby Maghull, Southport, Bootle.

Tarmac path cost in Formby: what should I budget?

As a 2026 guide in Formby, tarmac path work runs at about £53–£87 per m² including VAT, so a 20 m² path is roughly £1,150–£1,900. Edging, drainage and a dropped kerb are priced separately where needed.

How long will the work take at my Formby property?

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

Other work in Formby

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