Kerb Dropping

Frequently Asked Questions

The council provides a quotation and construction service if you need to drop the kerb outside your property for the purposes of access to your land or driveway. Permission is required from the council in order for you to construct this crossing. If the property is rented (e.g. from New Charter Housing or Housing Association) their permission to take a vehicle into the garden will also be required.

• Do I need a dropped kerb?
  
• How do I apply or request the estimation service?
  
• How much will it cost?
  
• What work is involved for the cost?
  
• How do I place the order or pay for the crossing?
• When does construction begin?
  
• How long does the work take?
  
• Can I use my own contractor?
  
• Can I undertake the work myself?
  
• Do the Council construct private driveways within a property?
  
• Do I need planning consent?
  
• Can I be refused a crossing?
  
• Who owns the crossing after completion?
  
• What type of vehicles can be used on the crossing?
  
• Is there any help with the cost of the installation?
  
• Are there any Legal considerations?
  

Do I need a dropped kerb?

If you intend to drive a vehicle over the footway into your driveway off a highway, then you will need a dropped kerb. If you do not have dropped kerbs, you must not drive over the footway. If you do so, you are breaking the law and enforcement action could be taken to prevent such practice. Furthermore, you may become liable for any damage to the surface or sub-formation of the footway or any utility services damaged as a result of this action.

How do I apply or request the estimation service?

An application can be made by completing the on line request for estimate application form.
You may need Planning Consent. Please check (see ‘Do I Need Planning Consent?’)

The on-line request for estimate form.

Alternatively a request can be made through the call centre on: 0161 342 8355.

Following either request an officer will visit the property to take appropriate measurements.
Within 14 days information will be posted in the form of a written quotation detailing the total cost and methods of payment. If there are any problems associated with the crossing you will be notified accordingly.

How much will it cost?

The cost depends on the area of the footpath used to access the driveway.
Please find below the vehicle crossing price chart.
A typical cost for a 5-kerb extension with a footway width not exceeding 2 metres (6 foot) would be £ 494.00.
Current pricing as of 2008.
These prices include VAT.

Vehicle Crossing Price Chart (£)

All the pricing in the above chart represents current market conditions that are inspected regularly.
These prices are audited and offer the most equitable value available locally. All conditions compliant.
Because of market forces the pricing does not represent a pro rata meterage assumption.

Extension to existing crossing. 1 transition kerb and lowered kerb.

Any areas that fall outside the above chart shall be quoted individually dependant on their specific needs.

What work is involved for the cost?

The kerbs will be replaced with lower units and a splay kerb to each side of the crossing for new construction.
Where an existing crossing exists this will be extended where appropriate. The crossing will be excavated and rebuilt to protect all utility services that are below the surface from any damage and sufficient design to support private light goods or similar vehicles.

How do I pay for the crossing?

You can pay by cash, cheque, credit or debit card. To make a telephone payment by credit or debit card:  0161 342 8355

Cash or cheque payments (made payable to TMBC) can be mailed to (or paid personally at) the address below:

Engineering and Environmental Health
Tameside MBC
Council Offices
Wellington Road
Ashton under Lyne
Lancs
OL6 6DL

Please Do Not Send Cash In The Post.

If you wish to pay on line you can do so here accept and pay on-line

When Does Construction begin?

Once payment has been cleared and there has been electronic notice to Engineering Service the build is put onto the crossings programme.
Once on the programme the position is fixed.
There are NO priority fixing or fast track options.
From that point works will commence anything up to 28 days.

How Long Does The Work Take?

The actual build will be carried out over a 3 to 5 day period.
You can Track your build and be given an approximate start date by contacting as below:

Phone:  0161 342 2804

Email:  Claire Williams

Can I Use My Own Contractor?

It is possible to use your own contractor providing they conform to the criteria below:

•  The contractor has full NRSWA staff accreditation
•  Public Liability Insurance, a minimum of £ 2,000,000 (million pounds)
•  Opening Up Notice for Highways: Highway Opening Up Notice and Application Form 128.02 KB
•  Planning consent where applicable
•  Possession of vehicle crossing installation standard details from the highway authority
•  Full service/utility drawings for the location
•  Conform to all chapter 8 guidelines for works to Highway Land
  

Can I undertake the work myself?

It is possible to undertake the work yourself providing you conform to the criteria below:

•  You have full NRSWA accreditation
•  Public Liability Insurance: minimum of £ 2,000,000 (million pounds)
•  Opening Up Notice for Highways: Highway Opening Up Notice and Application Form 128.02 KB
•  Planning consent where applicable
•  Possession of vehicle crossing installation standard details from the highway authority
•  Full service/utility drawings for the location
•  You conform to all chapter 8 guidelines for works to Highway Land
  

Do the Council construct private driveways within a property?

No.
Contractors can be located in the local newspaper, yellow pages or Thomson local.
Or
On-line in the Tameside Business Directory.

Do I need planning consent?

Before submitting a request for a quotation you must ascertain whether the adjacent road is:

•  Trunk Road
•  Classified A Road or Principal Road
•  Non Classified Road or Non principal B or C Road
•  Unclassified
•  Unadopted

Please check with:

Highway Department, Traffic Section:  0161 342 8355

Email:  Claire Williams

Call:  0161 342 2804

If the vehicle crossing is to be positioned on a Principle road or Classified road then planning permission must be obtained through the planning authority. There is a charge for this service.
To make an online planning application
On Trunk roads such applications need planning consent but would be referred to the Highways Agency for further approval by TMBC Planning Authority.

If your property or land is adjacent to a Non Classified road or Non-Principal road, planning consent is not required. Please proceed with enquiry request.
The on-line request for estimate form.

If your property is adjacent to an Unclassified road, planning consent is not required.
Please proceed with enquiry request.
The on-line request for estimate form.

If your property is adjacent to an Unadopted road, planning consent is not required.
Please proceed with enquiry request.
The on-line request for estimate form.

‘Please Note’ Unadopted roads or Unclassified roads may have Land Easements, Rights of Way, Land Title or Ownership issues. TMBC will not be held responsible in full or part for any land or ownership issues/contraventions before or after installation.
The occupier/resident takes full responsibility for the instruction given to install.
Please consult your solicitor to clarify the above.

Can I be refused a crossing?

You can be refused a crossing installation and reasons can be very individual to that location.
The points below may prohibit or offer guidance to a proposed dropped crossing:

•  Your property is on a bend or at a road junction
•  A tree is in the proposed crossing
•  Street furniture or a street lamp may impede access
•  Your property is close to traffic signals
•  There is a steep slope between your property and the road
•  There is insufficient garden area
•  There is insufficient visibility

If your application is refused you will receive a letter stating the reason why it has been refused and you have a right to appeal to:

The Secretary of State
Planning Inspectorate
Tollgate House
Houlton Street
Bristol
BS2 9DR

Who owns the crossing on completion?

The construction of a vehicle crossing by TMBC does not give the occupier of the premises any legal right of ownership to the land or license to police that crossing or any restriction to its existing state.
The crossing remains part of the public highway and therefore available for public use.
The responsibility for its maintenance rests with TMBC.

However, your new crossing does provide full acceptable rights to drive across the footway/highway land to gain access to your (your landlords) property or use of land developed and deemed suitable for off road parking.

What type of vehicles can be used on the crossing?

A domestic vehicle crossing may only be used by a private light goods or similar vehicle. It may not be used by a heavy goods vehicle or any form of mechanical equipment. If a delivery, such as a skip, is made into the property, and in doing so damages the crossing, any repairs to the crossing will be the responsibility of the owner/occupier.

Is there any help with the cost of the installation?

Disabled people may apply to Disability Services, Wellington Rd, Ashton.

 0161 342 8355

Are there any legal considerations?

Gates or any other obstructions across the vehicle entrance to your property or land may under no circumstances open outwards across a footpath or carriageway. (Highways Act 1980 – section 53)

Any land that is a not a dedicated Highway, unclassified or unadopted roads may require a Legal Land Easement if the dropped kerb crosses that land. Land Title, Rights of Way or Ownership issues may also have to be considered.
Please consult your solicitor to clarify the above. TMBC will not be held responsible in full or part for any land or ownership issues/contraventions before or after installation.
The occupier/resident takes full responsibility for the instruction given to install.
Please consult your solicitor to clarify the above.

The council reserve the right to alter your dropped kerb in the future to accommodate dropped kerbs to neighbouring properties or any Highway refurbishment the council deems appropriate.

If you or a Contractor are carrying out the installation you must ask for special permission to excavate and an application for an Opening Up Notice must be requested. Section 171 of the Highways Act 1980.
A Highway Opening Up Notice and Application Form 128.02 KB

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Engineering and Environmental Health Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 8355
0161 342 2398
Apply for Estimate Accept and Pay Online Business Database