Shrub roots and driveways

Hi my neighbours has some small shrubs
(see pic's) in a boarder between are front drives and I'm thinking of replacing my old block paving with a new imprinted concrete drive ( because I've gave in to the weeds ).

So I tend to worry a lot and I'm worried the roots from the shrubs could damage my new drive causing it to crack .

Can anyone advise weather this is a genuine concern or just my mind playing tricks.

Thanks for looking.

 

I wouldn't be worried about any of those plants @Dropmore . Borders in between driveways are pretty common in lots of areas - especially in new build estates etc.
I can't see anything there that would be troublesome. Eounymus, Pieris [maybe] and a couple of things that would need better pix to ID properly. There might be a few things that have seeded in - a thistle, and possibly a rowan, which will always happen because birds eat berries. Those are easily removed, especially if you can chat to the neighbour about it.

The creation of a new drive will also cut through any roots that could ever be slightly problematic.

 

Sounds an expensive way just to stop some weeds.

A friend 's relative had her block paved drive sealed with some kind of clear sealant to stop weeds.

 

Just looking at your pix again @Dropmore - and I think that's an ash seedling in the 2nd pic - with the dark stem. I'd get that out before it gets a hold!
I can see the usual buttercups, dandelions etc, but that's going to happen regardless of what type of hard surface is put down. They'll get into any small cracks and spaces, or even just a tiny gap where some general dust and debris gathers. A targeted weedkiller would handle those.
I'm afraid that's just normal when you have an outdoor space of any kind.

 

It's so easy to just spray the weeds a couple of times a year, digging it all up and relaying with concrete doesn't sound worth it, but just my opinion.
If the blocks were getting uneven I could see the point .

Kill the weeds then give it a dose of, 'wet and forget ', it will look like new in a couple of months.

 

I may have misunderstood. Is the new drive being done because of the weeds?
If so, I'd agree - that's surely a bit 'sledgehammer and nut'.

 

I use Weedol Pathclear on my block paved drive - one application in Spring is usually enough.
By late Summer weeds do start to appear again but I don't bother with a 2nd application as they don't grow much over Winter.
It kills all weeds and stops any seeds germinating.

I use Wet & Forget or Patio Magic (whichever is cheapest) to keep it clean - usually once a year, sometimes twice.

 

I'd renovate the block paving by weeding, pressure washing and resanding the gaps, then maintaining it as @Pete8 describes above. Concrete driveways don't allow water to drain freely, block paving also looks better.

 

When my block paved drive was put in they used kiln dried sand that had a weed killer in it. I had no weeds at all for the 1st 3 years.

 

Avoiding planting free seeders like Verbena, Erigeron and Achillea nearby also helps!