Before you apply
Before you apply for a dropped kerb, you should read all this information carefully.
There are lots of things you need to consider or take into account.
Permitted vehicles
You can only use a domestic vehicle crossing for private light goods or similar vehicles. You can't use it for heavy goods vehicles or mechanical equipment.
If a delivery, such as a skip, is made into the property, and in doing so the delivery damages the crossing, you will be responsible for any repairs.
Shared access
Where you and your neighbour share a driveway and wish to build a double width crossing to serve both your properties, one of you should act for both parties.
You can have 2 crossings to the same property as long as the minimum width of 2 metres is kept between them.
Parking
We cannot approve your application unless you're able to provide a suitable parking area within your property. The minimum sizes are:
- 4.8 metres in length where the car parking space can be accessed from both ends
- 5.5 metres in length if there's an obstruction at one end, for example, a wall
No part of a vehicle parked within your property may project onto or over the highway. The crossing may not be used as a parking area and no part of it is exempted for the purpose of footway parking.
Hardstandings
If you intend to use gravel or similar loose material for your hardstanding, you should consider the problem of some being carried onto the highway by the movement of vehicles. This is especially true where the surface comes up to the boundary.
Where material of this type is used, concrete or blacktop should be laid in a 500mm strip from the boundary to the start of the gravelled area. This will help to reduce any problem.
If the material is carried onto the highway, it will be your responsibility to remove it.
Drains
You must build the parking area within your property so water does not drain from it and lead across the footway.
You must provide suitable drainage within the boundaries of your property.
Standard finish
The standard finish to crossings is blacktop. Where a service strip exists, a non-standard finish such as block paving may be permitted. Excessively bright colours or mixed finishers will not be permitted.
If at a later date, after we accept the crossing, reinstatement work or changes in the road layout take place, we'll try to match the finish, colour or shape of the blocks but we cannot guarantee this.
Street furniture
Where you've removed more of the wall or fence running along the boundary than is required by the size of the crossing, we may install an item of street furniture in the footway outside the area of the crossing.
This is the case even if it obstructs an area where there's no wall or similar feature.
Street furniture can include a lamppost, telegraph pole or traffic sign.
Obstacles
If the proposed position of the access is obstructed by a road sign, lamp post, tree or another obstacle, you'll either need to move your proposed access to avoid the obstacle or pay us to have it moved.
We'll investigate this on an individual basis and advise you of any costs.
If a statutory authority is required to carry out work by relocating a fire hydrant or telegraph pole, for example, any charges for such work will be your responsibility. Before we can build the crossing you'll be required to produce written proof of approval by the relevant authority such as a utility company.
Safety
Any application for the construction of a domestic crossing may be refused or modified on the grounds of safety.
You must ensure that safe access to your property is maintained.
Gates
Gates fitted across the vehicle entrance to your property may in no circumstances open outwards across the footpath or carriageway, as per Section 153 of the Highways Act 1980.
Alterations
We may need to alter the layout of your vehicle crossing at any time due to modifications to the footway or verge.
We'll make every effort to maintain access to your property and give adequate notice of such works to the occupiers of any affected premises.
Length
Crossings up to 9 metres may be built where there's sufficient space to leave a continuous length of 2 metres of unused space at the kerb line.