Kerb crossing, kerb lowering and access requests
Before you start your request
You will need to tell us:
- What street your request is concerning
- What area the street is located in
- Where on this street you require the service
What is a “Dropped Kerb”
A vehicle crossing / dropped kerb allows you to access your property safely and easily when you are using a car or other domestic vehicle. Kerbs are dropped from their normal height and the pavement and or grass verge is strengthened to take the weight of the vehicle crossing. This is to avoid damage to the pavement, pipes or cables buried beneath it.
Useful tips before making a request
- we would expect you to have done your driveway first before applying for a dropped kerb
- if you have created a driveway and laid pebbles, you will need to create a 2-metre hard standing in a different material
- if your driveway slopes down towards the pavement you will need to put in drainage
- if your driveway is over 5 square metres it will require planning permission first
- if there is a tree, manhole, street lighting column blocking the entrance to your driveway, it's likely there will be a high cost to you to move them (in some cases applications will be denied)
- if you live on a classified road, you will need planning permission first before applying
What you can expect as part of the process?
- you request a dropped kerb either online using my account or by ringing customer services on 0345 8 506 506
- our customer services team will ask for a £168 payment, please be aware this is non-refundable
- your enquiry is logged to Highways, and you will be provided with a reference number starting ‘CAS’
- a highway worker will visit your property and carry out an inspection where you would like to have a dropped kerb. You will then be told if this can be carried out or not
- if you have been given the go ahead, the application pack will be sent out via email
- it is up to you to find a contractor to do this work
- once the dropped kerb work is complete, a Highways Worker will inspect the work. They will then advise if the work meets with the Councils Highway standards
- if the work has been carried out correctly, you will get a letter from us to say it is approved (you will need this letter if you are selling your home)
- if you need a replacement letter from the 1 April 2025 there will be a fee of £60
I am a contractor carrying out a dropped kerb
What certification do I need?
Valid Streetworks cards, both supervisor (blue card), and operatives card (yellow card) both need modules passed in hot/cold lay tarmac and modular reinstatements, along with site monitoring and SLG setup or a combined card (white), and public liability insurance.
If you are reported or noted working without a permit or the above accreditation you will be fined by our Streetworks team. The fines can range between £500-£1000. You will be instructed to close the job, fully reinstate and leave the site.
So if you wish to have a new dropped kerb at your home, or make improvements to an existing dropped kerb, you'll need the go ahead from us.
If you’re struggling or if you need any further help, get in touch with our team on 0345 8 506 506 we are happy to help!