Cement & Aggregates
Order ballast and gravel for delivery in Colchester
Ballast (all-in ballast) is a mixed sand and gravel aggregate used with cement to make concrete; gravel and shingle are graded stones used for drainage, bedding and decoration.
For jobs in Colchester we quote ballast and gravel as a delivered price to your postcode, with the vehicle and offload method agreed up front.

Ballast & Gravel to Colchester: the basics
- Delivering to
- Colchester, Essex
- How it arrives
- Bulk bags, usually crane-lifted
- Delivery
- Standard mainland delivery
- Nearby (straight line)
- Sudbury (13 mi), Clacton-on-Sea (13 mi), Witham (13 mi)
- Postcode districts
- CO1, CO2, CO4, CO3
- Daylight
- About 7h 46m on the shortest day
Ballast & Gravel we supply in Colchester
- Decorative gravel and chippingsColours and sizes for paths and gardens.
- All-in ballast20 mm down sand and gravel mix for concrete.
- ShingleFor drainage layers and backfill.
- Bulk bags and small bagsTo suit quantity and access.
How much will you need?
A base 3 × 1.8 m and 100 mm deep is 0.54 m³ of concrete. At 1:5 with 5% extra that is about 1.24 tonnes of all-in ballast and 9 bags of cement. Try the concrete calculator
Picking the right product
Gravel size
20 mm gravel suits concrete and drainage layers; 10 mm and pea gravel suit bedding pipes and paths.
Decorative areas
Lay decorative gravel over a weed membrane and a firm base so it does not sink.
Getting ballast and gravel onto your Colchester site
Bulk bags are usually lifted off by crane where access allows; tell us where they can sit and whether the ground is firm. Colchester is inside our standard mainland delivery area.
- For a phased build we can split the order so materials arrive as each stage starts, which keeps the site clear.
- Have someone on site for the delivery if you can, or agree a safe drop point with us in advance.
- If the drop point is block paving or soft ground, say so; heavy pallets and bulk bags can mark or sink.
Common questions from Colchester
Do you deliver ballast and gravel to trades and homeowners in Colchester?
Both. Trades can apply for a trade account; homeowners and self-builders can order on a delivered quote.
Is there a minimum order for delivery to Colchester?
There is no fixed minimum. For very small orders we will tell you honestly if the delivery cost outweighs the materials, so you can decide.
How much gravel do I need for a path?
Multiply the area by the depth (often 40 to 50 mm for decorative gravel) to get cubic metres, then allow about 1.5 tonnes per cubic metre.
What gravel do I bed drainage pipes in?
Pea gravel or a similar clean single-size gravel is commonly used around underground pipes.
Nearby towns we deliver ballast and gravel to
- Ballast & Gravel in Sudbury
- Ballast & Gravel in Clacton-on-Sea
- Ballast & Gravel in Witham
- Ballast & Gravel in Maldon
- Ballast & Gravel in Braintree
- Ballast & Gravel in Ipswich
More from SK Trade in Colchester
Send your list, get a delivered price
Tell us what you need and where it is going. We check the quantities and come back with a delivered price before you commit.
