Dropped kerbs - crossover

Information about dropped kerbs (vehicle access crossings), including legal and planning considerations.

How do I apply for a vehicle access crossing (dropped kerb)?

If you wish to have a driveway access from the road to your house you will need to apply to us for a vehicle access crossing. This is a chargeable service based upon the size of the crossing.

You can download a version of the application form and guidance notes from the right.

Vehicle Access Crossings are charged at £127 per square metre, with a minimum charge of £420. A typical cost for a four kerb crossing will cost approximately £1000 although this may vary depending on the width of the pavement or verge.

Legal considerations

Planning permission is not usually required for such work, but will be if:

• the property involved has the frontage directly on to a classified road (Type A, B, C)
• the property involved is a listed building.
• the property involved is other than a house for a single family, e.g. Flat, Maisonette, Commercial or Industrial Premises.

If it appears that your property comes within one of the above classifications and planning permission is required you should contact 704 6103.

Important notice

The construction of a vehicle crossing does not give the occupier of the premises any particular rights, except to drive across the footway to gain access to a property with a private or light goods motor car. The crossing itself remains part of the public highway. From the date the vehicle access crossing is completed, the Council will assume responsibility for its maintenance at no cost to the occupier, apart from any damage caused by illegal use by heavy vehicles, etc.

Conditions

The following is a list of conditions relevant to the construction and use of a vehicle access crossing.

Boundary Wall/Fences/Hedges

If you decide to go ahead with the construction you must remove any boundary fence, wall or hedge within the property to a minimum width of 2.7 metres at the place where the crossing will be located before construction can take place

Permitted types of vehicles

A vehicle access crossing may only be used by a private light goods or similar vehicle. It may not be used by 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, any repairs will be the responsibility of the occupier.

Size of the crossing

The width of a standard crossing is 2.7 to 3.6 metres at the back of the footway, increasing to 4.5 to 5.4 metres at the kerbline (either 3 or 4 lowered kerbs and 2 tapered kerbs). A vehicle access crossing, which covers the full frontage, may not be permitted.

Shared access

Where the occupiers of two adjoining properties share a driveway, and wish to build a double width vehicle access crossing to serve the two sites, one occupier should act on behalf of both parties. Two crossings next to each other if the sloping kerbs would have to be placed directly next to each other. In this case the kerbs will be dropped across both properties.

Two crossings at the same property

In/Out vehicle access crossings will not be permitted unless direct safety benefits can be proven, for example to prevent reversing onto a high speed or busy road. In these instances, there must be sufficient frontage to the property to allow a suitable space between the two entrances, i.e. two metres in width.

Crossings located off a parking lay-by

Vehicle access crossings located off parking lay-bys will not be permitted unless all properties served by the lay-by were to request a similar scheme. This is due to the overall capacity of the parking lay-by being compromised by the provision of a vehicle access crossing.

Crossings located off turning/parking areas

Vehicle access crossings at properties located off turning/parking areas will not be permitted unless there will be a direct benefit to the overall parking situation of the area. Again, in some instances, by providing a vehicle access crossing at this type of location, the overall parking capacity may be compromised.

Parking within your property boundary

Your application will not be approved unless you are able to provide a suitable parking area within your property frontage. This must be at least 5.5 metres long, measured from the front of your property to the boundary with the footway/verge, and be 2.4 metres in width. There must be enough space around this area for pedestrian access. No part of a vehicle parked within your property may project on to the highway, and the vehicle access crossing may not be used as a parking facility.

Hardstandings

A suitable permeable hardstanding/driveway must be constructed prior to any work to the vehicle access crossing being undertaken by the Council. Hardstanding means surfaces such as porous tarmac/concrete, slab paving or block paving and gravel. Loose materials such as gravel or shale may be used as long as there is a 2 metre deep apron of hardstanding to prevent the loose material spilling onto the public highway and the drive is constructed to allow water to drain through to underlying sub layers. It is the owner or occupiers responsibility to ensure that loose material is swept off the highway and back onto the drive.

From 1 October 2008 the permitted development rights that allow householders to pave their front garden for hardstanding without planning permission have changed. Planning permission is now required to lay traditional impermeable driveways that allow uncontrolled runoff of rainwater from front gardens onto roads, because this can contribute to flooding and pollution of watercourses. Please contact the planning office on 0121 704 8008 to discuss your proposal before work commences.

Standard finish

The standard finish to crossings is either tarmac or concrete. This will be decided by us when you apply for an estimate.

Obstacles to construction

If the proposed position of the vehicle access crossing is obstructed by a road sign, lamp column, or tree, etc, the location may require alteration to avoid the obstacle. If the obstacle can be removed, the applicant is liable for any costs incurred to carry out this work. The costs of such work will be detailed in the quotation.

Please note, the Council will not allow the removal of any healthy trees in the footway/verge to accommodate a vehicle access crossing.

If a Statutory Authority is required to carry out work by relocating a fire hydrant, telegraph pole etc to accommodate the vehicle access crossing, the charges for such work will be the responsibility of the applicant, who will be required to produce written proof of approval by the utility company before the vehicle access crossing can be constructed.

If an applicant wishes the vehicle access crossing to be placed in a location other than that recommended by us, and this requires the relocation of a lamp post or similar item, which would not otherwise be necessary, the applicant will be required to pay the full cost of relocation.

Alterations to your vehicle crossover

We may need to alter the layout of the vehicle access crossing at any time, due to modifications in the footway/verge. Every effort will be made to maintain access to the respective property.

Safety

Any application for the construction of a vehicle access crossing may be refused or modified on the grounds of safety.

Gates across vehicle entrance

Gates fitted across the vehicle entrance to your property, will require planning consent, and may in no circumstances open outwards across the footpath or carriageway( Highways Act 1980 - Section 153). There must also be a minimum distance of 6 metres from the face of kerb to the gates.

I am disabled can I get help paying for the dropped kerb?

For assistance please contact Occupational therapy on 0121 329 0191

More information about the Council and disabilities

Discount scheme

If major works to the footway are being carried out, properties located off the footway will be entitled to a vehicle access crossing or extension of an existing vehicle access crossing at a discounted rate. Applicants will be made aware of these rates prior to the commencement of any works.

What happens next?

You send your completed application form to the address shown on the application form. We will check the viability of the proposal, mark the footpath / kerbline with yellow paint and provide you with a written quotation for the construction of the facility. If there is a potential highway based problem with the proposal then we may seek approval from the Highways Inspectorate.

Contact Details

For further information about dropped kerbs please contact us

Telephone: 0121 704 6103

Email: environment@solihull.gov.uk