Groundworks & Block Paving Driveway — Bridgwater
The clients at this Bridgwater property had lived with a cracked, uneven concrete driveway and a problematic garden drainage issue for years. When they finally decided to address both, they commissioned Taunton Construction to undertake a full groundworks package — covering the driveway, drainage, garden retaining walls and soft landscaping.
The project was larger in scope than it initially appeared. Beneath the failing concrete driveway, the sub-base had deteriorated significantly, with areas of soft ground requiring dig-out and replacement. The garden also had a significant level change that needed to be managed with a properly engineered retaining wall before any planting or lawn reinstatement could take place.
Scope of Works
Break-Out & Excavation
Full break-out of existing concrete driveway. Excavation to 300mm depth across the 65m² driveway area. Removal of all arisings from site.
Sub-Base Preparation
Supply and compact 200mm MOT Type 1 sub-base throughout. Soft spots treated with geo-textile membrane and additional hardcore.
Drainage Installation
New linear drainage channel across the front of the property, connected to the existing soakaway. Permeable joint filling to comply with SUDS regulations.
Block Paving
Supply and lay 65m² grey charcoal block paving in a classic herringbone pattern. All edges cut and bedded on sharp sand. Kiln-dried sand joints throughout.
Retaining Wall
Construction of a 14m rendered block retaining wall to manage the rear garden level change — up to 900mm retained height. Drainage aggregate behind wall.
Landscaping
Topsoil reinstatement and seeding to rear garden following wall construction. Decorative stone border along driveway edges.
Programme
The project ran over three weeks. Week one covered the full break-out, excavation and sub-base preparation. The drainage installation and block paving were completed in week two. The retaining wall, landscaping and final tidy-up were finished in week three, with the driveway accessible to the clients' vehicles from day 15.
Throughout the project, we maintained vehicle access to the property for the clients — a priority they had flagged at the outset. By carefully phasing the works, one side of the driveway remained usable until the other was complete and set.
The Finished Result
The finished driveway transformed the front of the property. The grey charcoal block paving in herringbone pattern gives a clean, contemporary appearance that the clients were delighted with. The new drainage channel means there is no longer any standing water after heavy rain, and the retaining wall in the rear garden has opened up a previously unusable sloped area.
This project is a good example of the groundworks and external works capability Taunton Construction offers across Somerset. Whether it's a straightforward driveway replacement or a more complex package of external works, we have the plant, the labour and the experience to deliver it properly.
