Do I Need a Specialist Contractor to Drop My Kerb?
YES - A Dropped Kerb is constructed differently
to a normal footway.
The Level of the kerb is kept very low and the crossing forms a
ramp to aid vehicular access.
The thickness of construction is greater than a normal footway
in order to strengthen (and thus protect) both the footway and any
underground utility services i.e. gas/electric from damage.
Therefore to ensure that the kerb is constructed to
specification contractors must be qualified under the New Roads and
Street Works Act.
Full details are available in an application pack, available via
the contact details given below.
Conditions
The following is a list of conditions relevant to the
construction and the use of a domestic vehicle crossing after it
has been completed.
Permitted types of vehicles
A domestic vehicle 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 5 kerb stones (3 normal, 2
splayed) or 5m approx (a splayed kerb stones are the two sloping
kerb stones at the ends of the crossing.
Shared access
Where the occupiers of two adjoining properties share a
driveway, and wish to build a double width crossing to serve the
two sites, one occupier should act on behalf of both parties.
Two crossings at the same property
Where a request is made for two crossings to serve the property
and the space available means that the area between them is at or
close to the minimum limits, i.e. two metres in width, a decision
will have to be made as to the shape of the crossing. Where there
is an existing crossing it may mean that this will also have to be
modified.
Parking within your property
Your application will not be approved unless you are able to
provide a suitable parking area within your property, this must be
at least 4.8 metres long, measured from the front of your house to
the boundary of your property and 2.44 metres wide. There must be
enough space around this area for pedestrian access. If the width
of your property is more than 8m these conditions may not
apply.
There may be instances where the above criteria are not met. In
such cases approval may be given, subject to a site inspection by a
Highway Inspector. The Highway Inspectors decision as to whether
the application will be approved or refused is final.
No part of a vehicle parked within your property may project on
to 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
Where you are intending to use gravel or a similar loose
material for your hardstanding, you should consider the problem of
some being carried on to the highway by the movement of the
vehicle. 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 the responsibility
of the occupier to remove it by sweeping etc.
Drainage
The parking area within your property must be built so that
water does not drain from it across the footway. Suitable drainage
must be provided within the boundaries of your property.
Standard finish
The standard finish to crossings is either blacktop or
concrete.
Street furniture
Where applicants have removed more of the wall or fence running
along the boundary, than is required by the size of the crossing,
it should be understood that an item of street furniture, i.e. lamp
post, telegraph pole, traffic sign etc., may be erected at any time
in the footway outside the area of a crossing, even though this may
obstruct an area where there is no wall or similar feature.
Obstacles to construction
If the proposed position of the access is obstructed by a road
sign, lamp post, or tree, etc. the location should be altered to
avoid the obstacle. If this is not feasible, a decision will have
to be made by the relevant section as to whether the item should be
removed or relocated, the cost for this will be recoverable from
the applicant.
If a statutory authority is required to carry out work by
relocating a fire hydrant, telegraph pole etc. any charges for such
work will be the responsibility of the applicant
Alterations to your vehicle crossover
The Council may need to alter the layout of your vehicle
crossover at any time, due to modifications in the footway or
verge. Every effort will be made to maintain access to your
property and the occupier of premises so affected will be given
adequate notice of such works.
Safety
Any application for the construction of a domestic crossing may
be refused or modified on the grounds of safety. The applicant must
ensure that adequate sight lines are maintained to allow safe
access to their property.
Gates across vehicle entrance
Gates fitted across the vehicle entrance to your property may in
no circumstances open outwards across the footpath or carriageway.
( Highways Act 1980 - Section 153)
