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Dropped kerb

Dropped kerb

A dropped kerb allows vehicles to cross the pavement from the road to a driveway.

A dropped kerb (otherwise known as 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.

Dropped kerbs can be built either by the council or by a private contractor working to the council's specification.

Permission

You must get permission from the Highways and Infrastructure department.

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 2.4 metres wide. If the width of your property is more than 8m these conditions may not apply.

There must be enough space around this area for pedestrian access.

If the above criteria can't be met, approval may be given by a Highway Inspector. The inspector's decision will be final. 

Planning permission

This work does not usually require planning permission, but will be if the property involved:

  • is on a classified road
  • is a listed building
  • is other than a house for a single family, such as a flat, maisonette, commercial or industrial premises
  • if you build a footway crossing without getting the permissions mentioned above, you may not be able to sell your property in the future

Shared access

If the occupiers of two adjoining properties share a driveway and wish to build a double width crossing to serve both, one occupier should act on behalf of both parties when applying.

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.

Obstacles to construction

If the proposed location is obstructed by a road sign, lamp post, or tree the location should be altered.

If this cannot be changed, a decision will be made as to whether the item should be removed or relocated. The applicant must cover the full cost of relocation.

The applicant is responsible for the charges of relocating items like fire hydrants or telegraph pole and must provide written approval by the authority before proceeding.

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.

How to apply

Apply for a new dropped kerb on Fix My Street

Telephone: 0345 600 6400 

The construction does not give the occupier of the premises any rights. 

It allows them to drive across the footway to gain access to their property with a private or light goods motor car. 

The crossing itself remains part of the public highway.

 

Alterations

The council may need to alter the layout of your vehicle crossover at any time. This is due to modifications in the footway or verge.

Every effort will be made to maintain access to your property. The occupier of premises will be given notice of works. If you want to change the crossover yourself, you must get permission from the Highways and Infrastructure department.

Telephone: 0345 600 6400

Maintenance 

Northumberland County Council is responsible for the maintenance from the date which we accept the completed crossing, at no cost to the occupier. The exception is when damage has been caused by illegal use by heavy vehicles.

 

Gates across vehicle entrance

Gates must never open outwards across the footpath or carriageway (Highways Act 1980 - Section153).