Driveway channel drain - fill with gravel?

[IanJ]

I have a 10-year old block-paved driveway with about 6m of Mufle 100 A15 drainage channel, into a large soakway. Over the years, the black plastic channel covers have gradually split and snapped in various places and look awful. I'm struggling to find spares and I'm not confident they would fit anyway - at various points along the run the fit is really tight (several of the covers no longer push into place). I'm thinking of just filling the channel with large gravel to make it look much better. Would this work, or is it just a terrible idea?

 

[jj4091]

It would probably be ok under normal conditions. As lomg as the slope on your drive is not too steep and you don't get any really heavy downpours. Try a section and see what it's like with a bucket of water poured a few inches away from it. It might become a problem as the chippings get compacted and full of muck. Also you might need to consider if your garage door is going to foul it as you open and close it. Pictures may help you get better information.

 

[IanJ]

Thanks. A few photos attached. Not a steep drive, about 45sqm. No garage door. I'm thinking small grey/black pebbles or large gravel. Drain outlet (on the right) already has a cover/grille to keep the crap out, so that would stop any pebbles/gravel falling through. No issues with heavy downpours. I think I'll try a section as you suggest, unless there are any other options?

 

[jj4091]

Sorry but having seen your pictures I think it would be a shame to not renew the covers, for cosmetic and safety reasons. They aren't expensive even if you may have to buy the whole channel just to get the lids but personaIly I think it would be worth it. If you can't find the same manufacturer check the dimensions and see it you can find an alternative.
I now think you might be creating a trip hazard outside your front door. I thought you were talking about the front of a garage door in your original post