February 3, 2025
Thinking about adding a driveway or dropped kerb? Here’s what you need to know
A dropped kerb (sometimes called a lowered kerb) is when part of the footpath outside your home is changed to create a sloped access point. This allows vehicles to drive onto your property safely and legally without damaging the footpath or car. Under Section 184 of The Highways Act 1980, a license is required in order to create a dropped kerb and this is issued by the local council.
It is illegal to drive over a footway to access private property without an approved dropped kerb. Doing so can result in fines, liability for repairs, and damage to your vehicle.
This means if you want a driveway, you’ll need to arrange for the kerb to be lowered as part of the process. Nottingham City Council will not approve an application for a dropped kerb without a driveway first being in place. Following on from the initial enquiry, Officers will assess the site and advise on whether a dropped kerb would be likely to be approved or not.
This can potentially save on wasted time and money, installing a driveway at a site where a dropped kerb would not be permitted. For this reason it is important to contact us via [email protected] before any work is started.
Follow these steps to ensure your project is safe, legal, and successful:
Check your eligibility
- Contact Nottingham City Council at [email protected] to check whether your property is eligible to install a dropped kerb.
- Some factors may affect approval, such as the width of your road, proximity to junctions, or the presence of public utilities. If you live in a rented property, you will need to obtain the landlords permission. This includes Nottingham City Homes tenants.
- Include a recent photograph of the front of your property, taken from face on, preferably from the opposite side of the road. This will aid the assessment and, in some cases, may mean an on-site assessment is not needed.
2. Apply to Nottingham City Council
- IMPORTANT – Please ensure you live within the Nottingham City Council boundary before contacting us. You can check this on your Council Tax bill
- If your property is suitable, you will need to submit a section 184 license application. This can be done on your behalf by the company carrying out the work
- There is a non-refundable fee for the application, of £160
- If the site has complexities or there are other concerns, an on-site assessment may be required
3. Hire an appropriate contractor
- Nottingham City Council does not “approve” specific contractors and cannot offer recommendations or referrals. Residents wanting to have this type of work carried out should search for a reputable company using the internet and services such as Check a Trade.
- Anyone planning to carry out work on the public highway must have the required skills and qualifications. You can check if your chosen contractor is on the Street Works Qualifications Register by visiting https://www.swqr.org.uk/SWQR/Contact.
- Try to get at least 2 written quotes from separate companies, don’t just go with the first option
- Ask for evidence of previous work.
4. Plan your driveway
- As mentioned, Nottingham City Council will not approve an application for a dropped kerb if there is no driveway in place. If you enquire before this work has been carried out, you will be advised of the best way to proceed and on the likelihood of your application being approved.
- It should be noted that the presence of a driveway does not automatically mean a dropped kerb license will be approved. Therefore, it is strongly advised to contact us before starting any work.
- After making the initial enquiry and being ready to start the work, there are requirements for your new driveway, for example:
- Driveways must be made from a permeable material (like permeable paving, or resin) to assist with surface water drainage.
- The area must be of sufficient size. There are minimum space requirements that we consider when assessing applications, this is to ensure that your vehicle can fit in your driveway / forecourt. NCC officers can provide more information if required.
- The material used must be bound, not loose – gravel driveways are not acceptable.
- There must be suitable surface water drainage in place.
5. The work is carried out
Once appointed, the contractor will carry out the work. Ensure they adhere to the council’s guidelines and complete the work as agreed.
6. Final inspection
After completion, the council may inspect the dropped kerb to ensure it meets safety and quality standards.
Red Flags! 🟥
Be aware of rogue traders posing as official council contractors offering to illegally drop kerbs across the city.
All dropped kerbs need permission from the council first. Failure to gain permission could result in significant additional costs to residents.
Our Highways Management team frequently hear from residents who have been left with poor dropped kerbs work, leading to fines and expensive repair costs. Only contractors with the correct qualifications can legally install a dropped kerb. Unauthorised work can cause safety hazards, leading the council to remove the kerb at your expense. Poorly carried-out work can damage public property, like pavements or utilities (e.g., water or electrical lines). If you don’t follow the proper procedure, you could be held liable for repair costs.
Stay away from:
- Doorstep sellers: If someone knocks on your door offering to install a dropped kerb or driveway, politely decline and do your own research.
- Too-good-to-be-true prices: If a quote seems significantly cheaper than others, it may indicate corner-cutting or scams.
- Lack of written agreement: Always insist on a written contract outlining the scope of work, costs, and timelines.
- No references or reviews: Check reviews, ask for references, or even look at examples of the company’s previous work.
- Companies claiming to be “Council Approved”: Nottingham City Council does not approve individual contractors so anyone claiming this to be the case is not being honest.
- Wanting payment upfront: No reputable company will expect to be paid before the work has been completed and the customer is happy. Some contractors will try to pressure you by offering incredibly cheap prices, but only if you agree and pay on the spot. In these cases you should decline.
An example of a dropped kerb and driveway installed by an unqualified contractor “for a bargain price”. Note the poor quality materials used, meaning the surface is already failing, substandard joints with the rest of the highway, lack of drainage and uneven surface, leading to trip hazards. This resident is now facing substantial costs to put this work right, which will work out as significantly higher than if they had paid to have it done correctly in the first place.
Costs to Expect
- Application Fees: Nottingham City Council charge £160 (non-refundable) for an application
- Installation Costs: Approved contractors may charge anywhere from £1,000-£2,50 + depending on the size and complexity of the work.
- Driveway Costs: These vary based on materials and size. Budget for anywhere from £1,000 upwards for basic driveways.
Why It’s Important to Follow the Rules
Ignoring the rules can lead to costly consequences:
- Fines for illegal footway crossing access.
- Charges for damage to public property.
- Costs of having unauthorised work removed and re-done properly. Under The Highways Act, Nottingham City Council has the powers to reinstate any illegal works on the highway, or, in the case of illegally driving over the pavement, install a dropped kerb and charge the resident the full cost.
Taking the right steps might seem time-consuming, but it will save you money and stress in the long run.
Final Checklist
Before starting your project, make sure you:
- Contact [email protected] to check if you can install a dropped kerb.
- Submit a formal application and pay the required fee.
- Hire a suitably qualified contractor.
- Ensure your driveway design (where applicable) meets all regulations.
- Monitor the work and ensure it’s completed to standard.