PROPERTY: HAVING a driveway in the Bath area is not only necessary for today's ever increasing car culture, but it is also an enviable commodity.

As the city was not built for the car, owning a decent driveway, especially in the city centre, allows you to by-pass restrictions imposed for parking on the surrounding roads but also gives you peace of mind that your prized motor is safe on your own property.

Therefore, it is worth making an effort to preserve a drive that will save you money not only by shielding it from falling into disrepair, but also as a long-term investment where the prospect of a well-maintained drive sends the price of your property skywards. So what options do you have?

By far the easiest and cheapest way to construct a drive is to use gravel.

It accommodates uneven ground and curves with ease and only requires raking every so often and topping up each summer to keep it looking crisp.

Gravel looks perfectly at home in both urban and rural environments and is available in a variety of shades; bags of white, black and even pink gravel will create a delightful path.

Another economic material for paths is bark, which also needs to be restrained at the edges and replenished yearly, but it looks wonderful in a mature garden.

Crazy paving is also cheap and easy to lay. Broken concrete slabs can be used, but pieces of natural riven stone that are 40-50mm thick have much more character.

Crazy paving looks most at home in informal, mature gardens and the design possibilities are limitless. However, a good eye for shape and proportion is essential for creating a balanced design, and achieving straight lines takes practise. Although durable, crazy paving is not a good choice for a drive, as over a large area it can simply look chaotic.

If laid properly, concrete is extremely hardwearing and easy to maintain, and for large quantities can be relatively inexpensive. A drive will be out of commission for a couple of weeks to allow the concrete to fully harden, but the surface will be impervious to weeds, oil (although it will stain) and concentrated loads.

Tarmac is very stylish, especially dressed with stone chippings, and has long been a firm favourite for drives. It needs to be left two or three days before a car can be driven on it, but it is waterproof, offers a good grip, needs little looking after and is easy to repair.

By far the quickest and cheapest way to lay a patio is to use paving slabs, especially where the site is flat or neatly stepped, and where only gentle curves are required.

They are also ideal for paths and can be used for drives, but slabs larger than 45cm square tend to crack under concentrated loads, so try block-paving.

A spokesperson for Interlay, the Association of Block Paving Contractors said: "The effect of a real block-paved driveway is instantly obvious and welcoming. The manipulation of different coloured blocks can introduce highlights and contrast to your drive."