Cookie Policy

1. About this policy

This policy explains what cookies are, which cookies we use on our website, why we use them, and how you can control them. It applies to visitors to drivewayschelmsford.co.uk.

2. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files placed on your device when you visit a website. They help a site work properly, remember your preferences, and understand how it is used. Similar technologies (such as local storage, pixels, and tags) are treated like cookies in this policy.

3. How we use cookies

We group cookies into the following categories:

Strictly necessary – required for the site to function (security, form protection, session management). No consent required.
Analytics/measurement – help us understand site usage so we can improve content and usability. Consent required.
Functionality – remember choices (e.g., location or accessibility settings). Consent required.
Advertising/targeting – used for personalised ads or tracking across sites. We do not set these by default.

4. Your choices and consent

When you first visit, we present a cookie banner where you can accept all, reject non-essential, or manage preferences by category. You can change your choice at any time via Cookie Settings in the site footer. If you disable some cookies, parts of the site may not work as intended.

5. Cookies we use

A) Strictly necessary (set by Driveways Chelmsford)

Cookie name	Purpose	Duration
`cookie_consent`	Stores your consent status so we do not ask again on every page	12 months
`cookie_preferences`	Remembers the categories you chose in the banner	12 months
`sessionid`	Maintains your session when browsing forms or secure areas	Session
`csrftoken`	Protects forms from cross-site request forgery	12 months

B) Analytics/measurement (only set if you consent)

Cookie name	Provider	Purpose	Duration
`_ga`	Google Analytics	Distinguishes users for usage statistics	2 years
`_ga_XXXX`	Google Analytics	Persists session state for GA4 property `XXXX`	2 years
`_gid`	Google Analytics	Distinguishes users over 24 hours	24 hours

Notes on analytics: we configure analytics to avoid collecting information that directly identifies you. Aggregated reports help us understand which pages are most useful and where we can improve navigation.

C) Functionality (set only if you use the feature and consent)

Cookie name	Provider	Purpose	Duration
e.g., `maps_prefs`	Google Maps	Remembers map display preferences on “Areas We Cover”	Up to 6 months

D) Advertising/targeting

We do not use advertising cookies by default. If we introduce them later (for example, Google Ads remarketing), we will request your consent and update this policy.

Third-party cookies: Some features (embedded maps, video, or scheduling tools) may set their own cookies. Where possible we block these until you consent via the banner.

6. Managing cookies in your browser

You can also block or delete cookies via your browser settings. Popular guides are available in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and other browsers. If you block all cookies, our site may not function correctly.

7. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer “Do Not Track.” There is no standard for responding to this signal, so we currently do not respond to it. You can control tracking through the cookie banner and your browser settings.

8. Updates to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post any changes on this page and update the “Last updated” date. If changes are significant, we will provide a clearer notice on the website.

9. Contact us

If you have any questions about this policy or your cookie choices, contact:
Email: info@drivewayschelmsford.co.uk
Postal address: The Willows, Dunmow Road, Little Canfield, Essex, CM6 1TA, United Kingdom.