Groundworks and finishing

Dropped kerb applications

A dropped kerb, or vehicle crossover, is a lowered section of kerb and strengthened pavement that lets a car cross the footway to reach a driveway. It needs consent from the highway authority (your council in England, Wales and Scotland; DfI Roads in Northern Ireland), and the work in the pavement is done by that authority or a contractor it approves.

Guide price: about £1,000–£2,500 per crossing, set by the highway authority
Time on site: Approval often takes several weeks; the works themselves are quick
Permeable: Depends on build

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Computer-generated example Dropped kerb applications: computer-generated example

How dropped kerb applications work

Driving over a pavement without a dropped kerb is an offence and can damage pipes and cables under the footway, so a new drive with no crossing should not be used until one is in place.

Highway authorities look at visibility, distance from junctions, trees, lamp posts and the size of the parking space. We measure the drive to the authority's standard, help with the application drawings and photographs, and time the drive so it is ready when the crossing is built.

Is it right for you?

Your new drive has no vehicle crossing
You are widening your drive
You are turning a front garden into parking

How we do it

Check the highway authority's criteria
Measure the frontage and parking space
Prepare plan and photos
Submit application
The authority or its approved contractor builds the crossing
Drive finished to meet the new kerb level

Specification

Consent from the highway authority (council; DfI Roads in Northern Ireland)
Works in the footway by the authority or its approved contractor
Drive levels matched to the new crossing

Pros

Makes the drive legal to use
Protects the pavement and services

Things to know

Approval is not guaranteed
Lead times depend on the highway authority

Planning and permissions

General information, not legal advice. Pick your nation:

England

A dropped kerb always needs consent from your council as local highway authority, whether or not the driveway itself needs planning permission. A new access onto a classified road can need planning permission as well.

Wales

Scotland

A dropped kerb always needs consent from your council as roads authority, whether or not the driveway itself needs planning permission. A new access onto a classified road can need planning permission as well.

Northern Ireland

A dropped kerb always needs consent from DfI Roads, whether or not the driveway itself needs planning permission. A new access onto a classified road can need planning permission as well.

Dropped kerb applications: common questions

Can you build my dropped kerb?

Works in the public footway are carried out by the highway authority (the council, or DfI Roads in Northern Ireland) or a contractor it approves. We help with the application and get your drive ready to meet it.