Drainage Across Driveway

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

I need to put in drainage across our drive to stop rainwater running down it on to the neighbour's land. I was thinking about putting in a French drain across the drive which can be directed into a drainage ditch that runs close to the drive (see photo). The drive is about 3.5m across and it is a further 3m to the drainage ditch. I have a 110 mm PVC pipe that I could drill to add perforations and we have plenty of small-sized gravel and larger MOT 1 roadstone available, as well as a suitable membrane.

Our drive has yet to be finished with stone edging and a top layer of gravel.

I am unsure of the exact design dimensions and how you prepare it so that it can be safely driven over. Any advice will be much appreciated.

Comments (5)

Daisy England
3 years ago
No photo.
HU-95646897030 thanked Daisy England
Jonathan
3 years ago
It looks like your drive has a dip part way down. Instead of a drain why not let the water drain to this point and put a slight camber on the drive there to direct the water to an attenuation pond?
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Flowers in those flower boxes would be a good start, and then I'd tear out the conctrete or whatever the surface is next to the house and extend the driveway further out, closer to the camera, to make up for lost driveway space. The down spout must be removed from he driveway. The steps up to the house seem to be a confused assembly of different materials and should be reformed into a cohesive entry stairway, with plantings flanking it, or pots of greenery/flowers on it. The garage seems to be a different color from the house and if that is the came, I would change it echo the colors of the house. In the foreground of the photo is an opportunity for some beautiful landscaping. You have your work cut out for you, but nothing that you couldn't do over the next 3 months!
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I would use plants to brighten the space. The hardscapes are all good, they just look a bit naked and grim. It can be hard to make a space pretty but usable for the kids too, but its not impossible. You have a lovely sitting area to enjoy. Plant some lovely feature bushes in that gravel area. You don't need to completely hide the clothesline, but having something pretty and showy in front will create a boundary and the eye will be drawn to the plants instead of the washing. If you can't plant into the soil there, some large size pots will work. Maybe some medium sized (1-2metre) ornamental trees in pots, like citrus, a weeping ornamental cherry, or bay trees, moptop robinias are nice too. They will be compact. You could cluster some pots of herbs underneath or plant them and let them ramble a little. Herbs like thyme and rosemary and lavender will suit the gravel area and the heat and be hardy with kids playing around, the odd bike falling on them or crushing underfoot would be quite okay. bulbs in pots or planted around the edges of the lawn are great value low maintenance and hardy colour. You can get great seasonal variation in your view then. Online bulb stores like tesselar and garden express sell bulk landscaping bulbs at very reasonable prices. You can get hundreds of bulbs for $30-50. Bulbs are great hardy plants that won't be killed by the odd soccer ball either. The flowers may get knocked over or the leaves, but the bulb is safe under the soil. Cheap and cheerfuls like nasturtiums are good value colour that will self seed every season. Also, plant some very bright flowering shrubs behind the soccer net and against the far wall. Maybe some hibiscus? You need something to catch and entice the eye, plant some large flowering shrubs with larger or bright flowers or foliage you will be able to appreciate from a distance.
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Gosh, I've returned after a week travelling for work to loads more suggestions - thanks all! To respond specifically: - the house faces south so gets the lovely morning (and in the uk, sometimes the only) sun. - the husband has avoided putting plants in the planters due to maintenance and they're generally twee so comments here have confirmed to me that they will be coming out - love the idea of wooden boxes with the spiky plants and grasses - also like the concept of taking out the grass/bed/tree in front completely out and replacing with slabs - yes to lightening the windows - to the Barn company, I honestly don't mind the advice and I'd never seen sloping garage roofs. - nicking ideas from landscaping of new builds....great idea! - finally, Helen Scholes, I'm embarrassed about the spelling of kerb. Had no idea! Thanks again all.
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PRO
Garden Design Guru
3 years ago
Jonathan is right. In fact I don't think you drain the driveway into any sort of watercourse without an attenuation pond. There are loads of plants which love boggy conditions, which I wish I could grow. Primula candelabra, Rodgersia, Gunneras etc. You could see this as an asset!
HU-95646897030
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you both for the information. I will look into putting an attenuation pond in - my sons would love investigating the wildlife we would get and as you said Jonathan, the opportunity to put in plants that thrive in those conditions is a bonus! Thanks again.
Jonathan
3 years ago
Thanks to the Garden Design Guru for some great plant suggestions. I remember a local pond when I was growing up and loved the bulrushes and teasels.

Drainage Across Driveway

Comments (5)

Daisy England

Jonathan

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Drainage Across Driveway

Comments (5)

Daisy England

Jonathan

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