Hi Whit, ivy will spread under concrete slabs, and come up through the gaps, so I don't think a membrane and gravel is going to stop it, you will have to make sure you dig out as much as you possibly can, and use a powerful weedkiller, then leave it for a while to see what comes up, as soon as you see any, dig it up straight away, it's a bit of a b****r to get rid of, Derek.

Not quite, agree that if there are any stems left then it will regrow even from under membrane. BUT, the roots are not persistent. Get rid of the stems and the fibrous roots will not produce new stems. Having said that , they are a bit difficult to eradicate.

thanks for answers

Whit I would advise against that black permeable membrane. I found it a real nuisance. Years ago I found putting a few layers of newspaper down, around and between plants I had just planted, worked far better. I then covered the lot, leaving a space around the plant stems, with woodchip from the local sawmill. It costs a fraction of the price of bark and will hold water whereas bark doesn't. Weeds which spread by runners will establish themselves under the membrane and then it is very difficullt to get rid of them. There is an ivy killer available which will put an end to unwanted ivy but you need to keep an eye out for any recurrance because there may be ivy berries in the soil.

mick, i can`t afford diesel,or green paint to paint over the concrete

I think Mick's suggestion was either a Troll ish thing or an attempt at humour.