- Ely, Cambridgeshire
- championconstruction85@gmail.com
- Mon - Sat : 07.00-18.00
Family-run, properly built, designed for Fenland ground.
Professional solutions for driveways, patios, landscaping, and roofing.
Most driveways around Ely sit on clay-based soil. That clay swells when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries out, so the ground is moving with every season. On top of that, the Fens have a high water table and long wet winters, so drainage is critical in a way it isn’t elsewhere in the country.
This is why we see so many driveways failing within two or three years of being laid. The surface itself, whatever it is, is rarely the problem. The base underneath wasn’t built to handle the local ground.
A properly built driveway in Ely needs three things:
We’re Champion Construction. Danny and his son run the business. We build driveways properly across Ely, Wilburton, Stretham, Soham, Littleport, Haddenham, and the rest of Cambridgeshire. No call centres, no faceless subbies, no shortcuts on the base.
There are four main driveway surfaces that work well in this part of the country. Each one suits a different property and budget. Here’s a quick overview of each, with a link to the full page if you want to read more.
A modern, fully permeable surface. The aggregate is mixed with resin on site and trowelled into one continuous layer. Rainwater drains straight through, which matters in the Fens. Looks clean, holds its colour, lasts 15 to 25 years with almost no upkeep. The most popular choice for new builds and renovations across Ely.
The traditional choice. Hundreds of colour and pattern options, with herringbone the most popular and the strongest interlock for vehicle weight. Done properly, a block paving driveway lasts 20+ years. The key is sub-base depth and proper edging. We see block paving driveways fail in Stretham and Haddenham all the time because the groundwork was cut short.
The practical choice. Quick to lay, useable within 24 hours, and well suited to longer driveways and parking areas. Tarmac is flexible enough to cope with seasonal ground movement when laid on the right base, which makes it a sensible option on Ely’s clay. Around 15 to 20 years of service life when installed correctly.
The lower-cost option. Suits rural properties and country tracks where a more traditional look fits the setting. Lower upfront cost than the other three, but needs more ongoing care (raking back, topping up) and isn’t ideal for prams, wheelchairs, or bikes. We can talk you through whether gravel is right for your property.
If you already have an idea of what you’re after, resin bound driveways suit homes looking for a smooth, low-maintenance finish, block paving driveways offer a classic look with strong durability, tarmac driveways are a cost-effective and hard-wearing option, and gravel driveways work well for larger or rural plots that need good drainage.
