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Drop Kerb Installation in Devon – A Complete Guide for Homeowners & Businesses
If you’re considering a drop kerb installation in Devon, whether for your home or commercial premises, it’s essential to understand the process, permissions, costs, and legal requirements involved. At BMD Groundworks, we are registered with Devon County Council and specialise in professional vehicle crossover and drop kerb construction across Devon and the South West. This guide explains everything you need to know — from planning permission to installation and long-term durability. What Is a Drop Kerb? A drop kerb (also known as a vehicle crossover) is a lowered section of pavement that allows vehicles to legally cross from the public highway onto private land, such as: Driveways Private parking areas Business forecourts Agricultural access points Commercial yards Without an authorised dropped kerb, driving over the pavement is illegal and can result in enforcement action or fines. Why You Need Council Approval in Devon In Devon, all drop kerb installations must comply with regulations set by: Devon County Council You cannot legally install or modify a drop kerb without formal approval from the local highways authority. Because BMD is approved and registered with Devon County Council, we can: Guide you through the application process Ensure compliance with Devon highways specifications Construct […]
Groundworks and Arena Construction Services in the South West of England: Quality and Expertise You Can Trust
At BMD Groundworks, we specialise in providing high-quality groundworks and arena construction services throughout the South West of England. Whether you need preparation for a new build, land levelling, or a professionally constructed equestrian or sports arena, our team has the experience and expertise to deliver exceptional results. Why Choose BMDGW for Groundworks? Groundworks is the foundation of any construction project, and getting it right is crucial for the long-term stability and success of your project. From site preparation to drainage solutions and foundation installations, our team is well-versed in every aspect of groundworks, ensuring that your project is off to a solid start. Our Groundworks Services Include: Site clearance and excavation Foundations and trenching Drainage systems installation Earthworks and landscaping Ground stabilisation We take pride in delivering tailored groundworks solutions that meet the specific needs of each project, whether it’s residential, commercial, equestrian or agricultural. Our commitment to high standards and safety makes us a trusted partner in the South West for groundworks. Expert Arena Construction Services Whether you’re an equestrian enthusiast or a sports facility manager, a well-constructed arena is essential for performance and safety. At BMD Groundworks, we offer comprehensive arena construction services, providing high-quality surfaces that […]
Resurfacing the Newton Abbot Racecourse canter track
Along with building riding arenas in Devon and across the South we also provide resurfacing services. Again this isn’t just for sand schools as you can see from the video taken at Newton Abbot Racecourse.. The canter track needed repairs and a new surface installed earlier this year. With the weather on our side we were able to remove the original canter track surface and repair any sections before adding the new surface. If you are looking to build a new arena or canter track then contact us now. We offer a complete planning service if required to help with design and planning permission if required.
Landscaping, Fencing and Arenas in Devon
It was a busy month in March with our equestrian and groundworks services. After finishing an extension to a large horse arena on the outskirts of Exeter we then headed up to Upcott Park in Cookbury near Holsworthy, to the Mare and Foal Sanctuary. New Sand School in Devon The requirements of the Mare and Foal Sanctuary was for the construction of a new outdoor arena for their horses and ponies to use. To be able to use the new sand school as much as possible throughout the year, a sand and fibre mixed surface was chosen. After digging out the site, the earth was compacted with a roller and made level. As the location of the sand school was in a filed with a slight slope it had to be built up to make level. The next stage was to dig out for the drainage, one of the most important parts of any sand school construction. With the drainage channels dug, the first membrane was spread across the arena and the fencing was installed. The larger corner posts went in first, then the individual posts on each of the four sides and the entrance gate posts. Next the wooden […]
Extending an Outdoor Arena near Exeter
We are currently busy extending an outdoor arena on the outskirts of Exeter. Before the excavating began the fibre and sand school surface was removed using our excavator and 9 ton dumper. The dumper moved the sand school surface to a storage area until the main groundworks is complete. Sand School Arena To extend the outdoor arena to 50m in length a large amount of stone and earth has needed to be dug out. The amount of groundworks required has meant using a 13 ton excavator to dig out along the steep bank alongside the field. Digging into the slope has created a huge amount of earth to be removed. So far we have dug out and moved over 4000 tons of soil and stone. Groundworks Other groundwork has included an improved drainage system. The current sand school was built without an appropriate drainage system. After any rain the arena became waterlogged. Drainage is the most important part of any sand school construction. The next stage, once the new arena has been cleared and levelled, will be to add the clean stone base. It is very important to only use clean stone in your manege. If you use recycled stone […]
New Driveways in Torbay, Newton Abbot and the South West
We have built various types of driveways for our Devon customers. These have included block driveways, resin driveways, concrete driveways and tarmac driveways. Block Driveways The block driveways can be constructed using various types of bricks to give different looks and textures. For a long lasting driveway the most important part of the drive is the groundworks. With our general groundworks experience we make sure that the driveway foundations are level and firm. having a solid level base is the most important part of the build. We can also create new block driveways on slopes, we recently finished two block driveways on hills in Torquay. To maximise space we also removed part of the front garden and removed a large amount of soil at one of the houses. Resin Driveways If you prefer we can also create a resin driveway for you. These type of driveways can be ideal if you are looking for a low maintenance alternative. If you prefer something a little different we can build a concrete driveway. With concrete it is hardwearing and we always make sure there is the appropriate drainage. For something a little different we can lay a patterned concrete drive. You can […]
BMD Groundworks at the Exeter Equine Fair
We spent last weekend at the West Country Showground in Exeter with Beta-Ride Pro Equestrian Services. Beta-Ride provide a variety of fibre for your sand school. It was a great show for the Devon equine community with dressage master classes, show jumping, side saddle demonstrations and some great pony competitions in the indoor arena. There were also over 200 companies in the equestrian shopping village. The weekend was very busy and we had a great deal of interest in our equestrian services, including building new horse arenas. Sand School Surface We were also able to show how a new sand school surface with the Beta Ride fibre can improve the potential of your indoor arena or outdoor arena. The display included several types of fibre surface and sand to suit different horse riding needs. There were several potential customers from the Exeter, Bovey Tracey and South Hams area of Devon that were interested in having a new arena surface. New Horse Arenas As well as repairing and improving horse arenas we also had a great deal of interest in getting new horse arenas built. With our groundworks experience across the South West we know the best way to […]