Tarmac Driveway has rough areas

From experience, this kind of issue usually comes down to how the tarmac was laid rather than the tarmac itself, especially given what you noticed at the time. If areas looked rough and a bit open straight after installation, that’s not something that should be brushed off. A properly laid tarmac drive should be smooth and tight once it’s rolled. When the stones look bigger and there are gaps, it often means it wasn’t compacted properly while it was hot, or the wrong surface mix was used. Tarmac doesn’t normally break down or get worse within 10 months unless there’s an issue with the way it was installed. If it were a fault with the tarmac itself, the supplier would usually see the same problem on other jobs from that batch, not just one area. The installer is generally responsible for choosing the right mix, laying it at the right temperature, and compacting it correctly. You did the right thing by raising it straight away, and the fact it’s got worse over time backs up your original concerns. I’d suggest asking the installer to come back and look at it properly and give you something in writing. If you’re still getting passed between the installer and the supplier, an independent contractor or surveyor who knows asphalt work can usually tell pretty quickly where the problem lies. I understand how frustrating it is when responsibility gets pushed around, but based on what you’ve said, it doesn’t sound like normal wear and tear. I would personally say the tradesperson is at fault.

They have clearly used the wrong materials ! It’s definitely the firms responsibility who done the tarmac

Its possible the tarmac wasn't compacted properly or if there are bigger stones in there may be a contaminated issue with a different form of tarmac mixed in .but definitely a laying issue

To me it seems that when the Tarmac was laid it was not installed properly. It could do with the base underneath and if they put a bottom coat of tarmac and use the wrong type of top Tarmac as well every time when finish will be using a roller in the area or a whacker plate, but then the Tarmac should be all the same smooth so it seems to me it’s the installers caused the problem where they should come back and rectify and make good of the job

Sound s like the 20 mil binder (base course for the bottom layer ) was mixed in with the 6mil wearing course and if there’s rough open scabby patches it’s not been raked and compacted properly