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Category: Projects

Completed surfacing, driveway and vehicle access projects from Irvine Surfacing.

  • Double dropped kerb and block-paved driveway in Thatcham

    Double dropped kerb and block-paved driveway in Thatcham

    Recent project / Thatcham, West Berkshire

    Double dropped kerb and block-paved driveway in Thatcham

    Two neighbouring properties. One coordinated access upgrade. We installed a double dropped kerb in Thatcham and transformed a worn front garden into a new block-paved driveway.

    See the transformation ↓

    Neighbouring residential properties · Thatcham, Berkshire

    Completed double dropped kerb serving neighbouring properties and a new block-paved driveway in Thatcham
    The finished project

    18 m²

    New block-paved driveway

    19 m²

    Approximate crossing area

    Double

    Dropped kerb for neighbouring properties

    01 / The transformation

    Two neighbours.
    A better way in.

    The before photos show a grassed parking area, a narrow path and the raised kerb along the frontage. Our work brought the access together: a neighbouring double dropped kerb across the two properties, fresh tarmac to the crossing and an 18 m² block-paved driveway at one home.

    Neighbouring properties in Thatcham before the double dropped kerb and driveway work
    Before: the original frontage, grassed parking area and raised kerb across the neighbouring properties.

    Before

    Completed double dropped kerb and new block-paved driveway in Thatcham
    After: the new block-paved driveway and completed double dropped kerb serving the neighbouring properties.

    After

    02 / Beneath the surface

    A fresh finish starts
    with the foundation.

    Remove and prepare

    We excavated approximately 18 m² for the new driveway to a depth of 230 mm. The approximately 19 m² crossing area was excavated to the relevant highway specification, with waste removed from site.

    Build the foundation

    The driveway was prepared with compacted Type 1 limestone sub-base, with geotextile where required for separation and stabilisation. A 30–40 mm sharp-sand screed formed the laying bed for the blocks. Type 1 sub-base also supported the crossing.

    Form the double dropped kerb

    We installed the low kerbs and transition on a GEN1 concrete foundation to form the neighbouring double dropped kerb. One BT cover and two water stopcock covers were adjusted to suit the new levels.

    Lay the finished surface

    Marshalls concrete block paving was laid to the driveway, with kiln-dried jointing sand brushed in and a power-plate finish. The crossing received a 40–50 mm layer of 6 mm tarmac, compacted with a roller and power plate.

    Finished Marshalls block-paved driveway in Thatcham with a bordered edge
    The completed block-paved driveway, with a defined border and the new tarmac crossing at its entrance.

    Materials used

    Type 1 limestone sub-base · sharp-sand laying bed · Marshalls concrete block paving · kiln-dried jointing sand · low kerbs on GEN1 concrete · 6 mm tarmac.

    Completed tarmac crossing and double dropped kerb across neighbouring properties in Thatcham
    The finished double dropped kerb and tarmac crossing along the neighbouring frontages.

    Completed crossing

    Highway licence paperwork

    The paperwork? We handled it.

    We completed the highway licence paperwork free of charge, handling the application administration and liaison with the highway authority. There was no Irvine Surfacing administration charge; council and highway application fees were separate.

    03 / The finished details

    A new driveway.
    Joined-up access.

    The new paving creates a defined parking space, with a neat border alongside the existing path and planting. At the road, the lowered kerb and renewed tarmac crossing serve the neighbouring properties as one coordinated project.

    Completed block-paved driveway and neighbouring double dropped kerb in Thatcham
    Finished: block paving laid in a herringbone pattern with a contrasting border.

    Finished

    Front garden and grassed parking area before the new Thatcham driveway
    Before: the worn grass parking area and existing path, prior to the new block-paved driveway.

    Before / The detail

    This Thatcham project combined the visible transformation of a front garden with the less visible preparation beneath both surfaces—and the highway licence paperwork needed to organise the crossing works.

    Let’s talk about your driveway

    Need a dropped kerb or a new driveway?

    Planning work in Thatcham or the surrounding area? Talk to Irvine Surfacing about a driveway, a dropped kerb, or a coordinated project with your neighbour. We can assess the site and explain the work and application process.

    Get a free quotation →

    Call 0118 336 0065

    Explore our block paving services in West Berkshire and dropped kerb services, or see more completed surfacing projects.

  • Tarmac driveway repair in Southampton

    Tarmac driveway repair in Southampton

    Recent project / Southampton, Hampshire

    Tarmac driveway repair in Southampton

    Fifteen years of sinking. A 350 mm dip in the middle. This shared driveway needed a rebuild from the supporting layers up.

    See the transformation ↓
    Completed 14 October 2026 · Shared residential driveway
    Completed shared driveway in Southampton with a continuous new tarmac surface and reset utility covers.
    The finished driveway
    350 mmApproximate dip at the centre
    62 m²Approximate area rebuilt
    15 yearsOf sinking before the repair

    01 / The transformation

    Same driveway.
    A different finish.

    The original shared access had a worn, patched surface and uneven areas. We rebuilt approximately 62 m² to restore the driveway’s levels and give the residents a consistent new tarmac surface.

    Shared driveway in Southampton before repair, showing worn, patched tarmac and uneven areas.Before
    The worn shared driveway before the repair.
    Completed shared driveway in Southampton with the final wearing course laid and utility covers reset.After
    The completed driveway, with the final wearing course laid.

    02 / Beneath the surface

    A fresh finish starts
    with the foundation.

    1. Remove the old tarmac

      We excavated the existing tarmac across the repair area. It was removed from site by lorry and taken directly to a recycling plant.

    2. Stabilise and rebuild

      Terram geotextile fabric was laid across the full area as part of the ground stabilisation work. We then installed Type 1 sub-base, compacting it in 75 mm layers to form the foundation for the new surface.

    3. Reset the service covers

      The existing water stopcock and fire hydrant covers needed to match the new finished levels. We reset them on concrete bases so they were incorporated into the rebuilt driveway.

    4. Lay and compact the tarmac

      A 50 mm base course, using 20 mm tarmac material, was followed by a 30 mm wearing course, using 10 mm material. The base was power-plate compacted; the wearing course was finished with a roller and power plate.

    Crew, tipper lorry and compaction equipment during the shared driveway repair in Southampton.
    During the work: the team and surfacing equipment on site.
    Built in layers

    Terram geotextile → compacted Type 1 sub-base → 50 mm tarmac base course → 30 mm tarmac wearing course.

    The driveway base course laid in Southampton before the final wearing course, with a roller still on site.During / Base course
    Work in progress: the base course, before the final wearing course.

    Work in progress

    Base course in place

    This photograph shows the laid base course. The final 30 mm wearing course had still to be installed at this stage.

    03 / The finished details

    The whole surface.
    The small details.

    The finished tarmac runs between the existing fence and the homes, with the utility covers set into the new surface. The wearing course is the top layer visible in the completed photographs.

    Completed shared driveway in Southampton with a continuous new tarmac surface and reset utility covers.Finished
    The completed shared driveway.
    Worn and patched tarmac around utility covers on the shared driveway in Southampton.Before / The detail
    The existing utility covers and patched surface before the rebuild.

    This Southampton project shows the work that goes into a driveway repair beneath the finished surface: removal, ground preparation, compaction and attention to the existing covers, followed by the new tarmac.

    Let’s talk about your driveway

    Is your driveway sinking?

    If your driveway has developed dips, cracks or uneven levels, we can assess the existing surface and provide a quotation for the appropriate repair.

    Get a free quotation →Call 0118 336 0065

    Explore our tarmac surfacing services or see more completed surfacing projects.

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