KERB DROPPING FOR DRIVEWAYS - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

When you’re having a new driveway installed, it’s often necessary for the kerb to be dropped outside your property. This is so you can have smooth and easy access without having to bump your vehicle’s tyres up onto the pavement every time.

 

Altering the pavement outside your home will require a permit from your local council. Remember, the pavement is public property – just because it’s directly outside your home doesn’t mean you can have it altered without permission.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNCIL

When you’re considering a new driveway and will need the kerb lowered outside your property, you should contact the council or ask your driveway contractor to advise on the procedure.

 

Some councils will grant approval on the proviso their own staff carry out the work, while others will have an approved list of contractors they will allow to do it. At Lothian Paving we’ve successfully carried out lots of kerb drops to meet local authority standards and satisfy our driveway clients.

KERB DROPPING CONSIDERATIONS

Your local authority will consider a number of things when looking at your kerb dropping application including:

 

  • How the dropped kerb may impact on pedestrians.
  • The type of road your house is situated on.
  • Any other kerb lowering permissions or refusals in your street.
  • The type of vehicle you’ll be parking in your new driveway.

 

It’s important to note that just because other people in your local area/street have a dropped kerb for their driveways it doesn’t necessarily mean you will get a permit to do the same thing. For example, if your property is on a tight bend, it may be deemed unsafe to have driveway access.

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER LOWER THE KERB WITHOUT PERMISSION

There are a number of reasons why you shouldn’t try to drop a kerb yourself or allow an unapproved contractor to do it, including:

 

  • Your local council may ask you to return the pavement to how it was before.
  • You could be held liable for any accidents that occur as a direct result of the kerb being dropped.
  • You may be liable for all future pavement repairs outside your property.

 

When you’re having a new driveway installed it’s best to do thing by the book in order to avoid any nasty surprises at a later date. At Lothian Paving we can help you out with the kerb dropping and driveway planning permission processes so you don’t fall foul of local regulations.