Dropped kerbs (or crossovers)

Did you know?

It is an offence to drive across a footpath (public footway) without an authorised vehicular crossing, also known as a dropped kerb or crossover. This is because it may cause damage to the footpath or the services (gas, electrics, water) underneath. A licence is required to create a vehicle crossover, for which a fee is payable to WSCC.

What does a vehicular crossing involve?

• The lowering of the kerbs in front of your driveway.
• The strengthening of the existing footway and verge from your property boundary to the edge of the road.
• The moving or protection of other highway furniture, and any pipes or cables belonging to public utilities underneath the crossing.
• Undertaking the work in accordance with the conditions and procedures laid down by the county council.
• Inspection of the work by our highway officers.

Is planning permission required?

• Depending upon the road classification and the fact that the creation of a crossover will alter the frontage or appearance of a property, planning permission from your local District/Borough Council may be required.
• In some instances, where the proposed vehicle crossover is situated on an unclassified road (D or E class), it may be necessary to obtain planning permission for the access and possibly the work in the front garden. Both aspects must be checked with the local District/Borough Council as the road could be in a conservation area.
• Requests for, or advice regarding, planning permission should be directed to your local District/Borough Council before the county council’s consent for dropping the kerb can be granted.

How do I apply for a vehicle crossover?

• Once planning permission or advice has been received from your local District or Borough Council, a site evaluation will need to be made by a Highway Officer to check the suitability of the location.
• To register your request for a vehicle crossover and site visit, please call us on 01243 642105.
• If approved, the Highway Officer will provide you with a construction specification form for the contractor who will carry out the work. This is valid for a period of 6 months from the date of issue. If a licence application form to construct the crossover is not received from a contractor within this period, a new application will have to be made in writing referring to previous correspondence.
• The contractor you choose must have £10m public liability insurance and needs to be accredited under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (Operative Course units 1-9) to carry out work on the highway.
• A formal licence application form will then be required from the contractor and a fee will be payable to WSCC (see ‘How much will it cost’ in Related Documents).
• The contractor must specify on the application form the start and estimated finish dates for the work and allow a minimum of 10 working days notice prior to commencement of the work.
• This is to enable site inspections by a Highway Officer to be scheduled in, which will be carried out during construction, to ensure the work meets the minimum highway standard. Failure to meet specification will require works to be redone.
• After construction, the contractor is responsible for maintenance for a 12 month period should any defects arise.
• The contractor should provide you with a copy of the issued licence to retain as proof of permission to the construction of the crossover, which may be required if you wish to sell the property.

I am a contractor, how do I apply for a licence?

• Please contact us on 01243 642105 for a licence application form which will be sent by email for electronic completion and return.

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