Parking Apply for a dropped kerb

Dropped kerbs: definition and requirements

Applications will only be open for 90 days from application date. If you do not get back to Highways once given approval and cost, then the application will be closed after 90 days. If you decide to go ahead at a later date, you will need to reapply.

Definition

Dropped kerbs are lowered areas of pavement outside of a property that have been strengthened and made into a ramp shape to allow for vehicle crossing of the footway/pavement for access to park on an adjacent property.

Requirements       

Parking area

In order to be eligible for approval, applicants must ensure that their property provides adequate space for parking. The standard requirements stipulate a minimum dimension of 4.8 metres in depth by 3.5 metres in width for conventional pull-on and pull-off parking arrangements, or a minimum of 3 metres in depth by 6 metres in width for side-on parking.

A driveway or hardstanding that satisfies these measurements must be present at the payment stage; however, it is not mandatory for this to be completed at the time of application. If the parking area is not yet constructed, it is advisable to submit details of the proposed arrangements. Please be aware that these dimensions represent the standard minimum requirements and compliance with them does not guarantee approval for a crossing, as additional factors will be assessed during the application process.

Crossing and Costs

The minimum size of a new dropped kerb is roughly 3m with a starting cost of £1,500, which includes up to 2m towards the property. Dropped crossing extensions will be assessed and priced accordingly.

Larger width dropped kerbs will cost more as well as ones that are more than 2m from the property edge or where it will need to meet the property driveway or hardstanding. There may be additional charges if we need to remove any obstructions.

Planning

We will communicate if planning permission will need to be obtained for the dropped kerb during the assessment process. Planning permission is required for all dropped kerbs on road types that are not unclassified, and forms much of our key route network. However, the below can be a helpful guide:

Types of road classification:

• A road: Major road providing large-scale transport links within or between areas these are signed with a designation starting with A.
• B road: connects different areas and feeds traffic between A roads and smaller roads on the network these are signed with a designation starting with B.
• Classified Unnumbered roads: sometimes known unofficially as C roads are smaller roads that connect unclassified roads with A and B roads, eg linking a housing estate or village to the rest of the network
• Unclassified: local road intended for local traffic

If there is no driveway in place, you will also require planning permissions to install the driveway and to remove any wall or fence. All driveways must be installed using permeable material. Once you have obtained this permission, you will need to forward the planning approval for the application to be fully assessed and priced.

Verge and unadopted areas

Going through a grass verge is the most expensive type of dropped kerb as edging is needed to stabilize the soil. If the verge or any part of the dropped kerb works area is not part of the adopted highway you will need planning permission and permission from the owner of that area. We will communicate if permission from the owner is need during the assessment process.

Trees

We will communicate if permission from our arboriculture team will need to be obtained for the dropped kerb during the assessment process. The roots of a tree are the most vulnerable and we will not damage a tree to install a dropped kerb as that would be counter to our zero carbon strategy. If the proposed dropped kerb will involve coming anywhere that falls under the branches of a tree, permission will need to be obtained and this could affect the location of the access.