Dropped kerbs

If you want to drop the kerb outside your home to create a driveway you need permission from the council before the work can be done.

Dropping a kerb involves lowering the kerbstones and strengthening the pavement so a vehicle can be driven across.

Before you apply for a dropped kerb, please read the terms and conditions.

Paying the inspection fee

When you apply for a dropped kerb, you will need to pay a £225.80 inspection fee by credit or debit card. If you decide not to go ahead with the dropped kerb, or if we think your property isn't suitable for a dropped kerb, this fee is not refundable and is not deducted from any quotation provided. 

Once you have paid, we will arrange an appointment for an officer to visit you.

If your property is rented, you will also need permission from the council, housing association or landlord to create a driveway.

How much does a dropped kerb cost?

It is not possible to provide an exact cost for a dropped kerb until we do an inspection as every case is different.

To give you an idea, a typical quotation for a standard dropped kerb (two taper kerbs and three flat kerbs) will be in the region of £1,300 to £1,800. Please note this is based on average footpath widths (1.8m – 2.0m). If the footpath outside your home is wider than 2.0m the cost is likely to be higher.

Additional costs may be required, such as the need for traffic management, Sunday-only working, moving trees, street furniture or utility boxes etc which may increase the cost significantly.

The actual cost of your dropped kerb will be calculated in square metres from measurements taken on site, plus additional costs if there are any specific obstacles which need to be relocated or removed. 

When you receive your quotation it will be valid for 6 months. If your quotation expires you will need to make another application.

Apply for a dropped kerb

Request a dropped kerb outside your home

Warning

Be aware that people falsely claiming to work for the council are knocking doors offering to drop kerbs in return for cash. They do not work for the council and no contractor working for the council is allowed to offer to do work in this way. Anyone who wants a dropped kerb must contact the council first.

Please do not be tempted to pay anyone to drop the kerb outside your home - call highways on 0121 368 1177 if you have any questions.

If any work is carried out on the highway that has not been approved by the highways team, the council could charge you for putting the pavement back how it was.

If you feel you are being pressured or harassed to have work done, contact the local police.