Dropped Kerbs And Crossings

From the 1st October 2008 Planning Permission may be required to construct a hardstanding or drive in a garden if the material you use is impermeable (non porous).

Vehicular Crossing

Under section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 if you want to construct a vehicular access (also called a 'dropped crossing') to your property across a public footway and or verge then you need permission from the Highway Authority to do so. If the road is classified (an A, B or C road) you will also need planning permission, which you will need to apply for separately. There are two main reasons for building a vehicle crossing. Firstly, pavements are designed and constructed for pedestrian use. Persistent driving over or parking on a pavement may cause hazardous potholes or may damage underground cables and pipes, which can be dangerous and costly to repair. Secondly, it is an offence to drive a vehicle over a pavement or verge which is not part of a properly constructed vehicle crossing, and The Council has powers under the Highways Act 1980 to serve a Notice on offenders and recover all reasonable costs for building a vehicle crossing.

It is against the law for a vehicle to cross a footway other than via a properly constructed crossing.

Applying for a Vehicle Crossing

Wherever a pavement or verge is to be driven over is a public highway or is otherwise maintained by the Council, the crossing must be constructed with the approval of the Council. The Council encourages the provision of vehicle crossings to help reduce the number of vehicles parked on the street. Each application will be considered on its own merits, and some proposals may not be approved for safety or other reasons. The construction does not give the occupier of the premises ownership of the vehicle crossing, but does give the right to drive across the footway to gain access to their property with a private/light goods vehicle, and under no circumstances allows for the parking of vehicles on the access and does not guarantee unhindered access.

When making your application you will need to consider the following, possible planning permission; street furniture, obstacles to construction, removal of street trees, roadside ditches, gates across vehicle entrance and additional costs. Some or all these factors need to be considered before making your application and further information can be found within the general considerations for vehicle crossings.

•   Notes and Application Form for Heavy Duty Vehicular Crossing (pdf 51.5kb)

Guidance Notes And Application Form for A Domestic Vehicular Crossing

•   Notes and Application Form for Domestic Vehicular Crossing (pdf 140kb)

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