Bath & North East Somerset Council are responsible for maintaining footpaths. A crossing across a public footpath or verge for your vehicle to gain access to your property from the highway is known as a ‘dropped kerb’, crossover or vehicle crossing. It must be built to specific standards and approved by your council and in some cases planning permission is also required.
You will need:
- Permission from the Council by completing the application pack (right)
- A NRSWA (New Roads and Street Works Act) accredited contractor to carry out the work
- Planning permission if necessary
- Permission from Somer Community Housing if your property is on Somer Community owned land
The process
- First you must complete sections 1,4 and the sketch plan of the Householder Development Planning Questionnaire.
- Once you have received written confirmation from Planning Services you can proceed with a dropped kerb application.
- Complete the application form which you can download from this page (right hand column under the related documents title) or request via post, email or fax by contacting Council Connect via the contact details given at the bottom of this page. For help on viewing, downloading or printing documents please refer to the help page
- Return the completed form with payment of a £55 administration fee to the Council at the address given on the form.
- Upon receipt a Council Highway Inspector will undertake a site visit to determine if your application is suitable.
- The Council will contact local utility companies to find out if there are any utilities apparatus which will be affected by the work.
- If your application is successful you will need to arrange the work with a NRSWA accredited contractor (a list of accredited contractors is provided with the application pack) who will do the work at your cost.
- Advise the Council of your contractors details.
This process can take 4 weeks to complete and may take longer if formal planning permission is required.
If a footway crossing is built without first being granted permission by the Council a retrospective licence must be made. This will cost an administration fee of £100 and if this licence is rejected the footway must be returned to it's original condition at the cost of the applicant.
Report-it
How can I make a complaint regarding a dropped kerb?
Any urgent complaints about the location or safety of a dropped kerb should be reported to the Council Connect on 01225 394041 immediately.
Non urgent complaints about the location or safety of a dropped kerb can be reported via email or fax using the contact details given at the bottom of the page.
Related Information
Conditions and further information
Planning Permission and other legal considerations
Household Development Planning Questionnaire
See Also
Parking and Dropped Kerbs
Parking on the Footway and Verge