Vehicle crossovers

When is a vehicle crossover needed?

When you need to drive a vehicle across a publicly maintained footway or verge in order to park it on private property, for example a driveway by a house.

Why do I have to have this?

Footways and verges are normally only built with enough strength to cater for the weight of pedestrians or animals.

A vehicle crossing an unprepared footway will cause damage to it after some time, if not immediately. In order to avoid damage, the crossover must be constructed to an approved specification. The dropped kerbs are necessary to enable the vehicle to gradually adjust to the difference in levels between the footway and road surface.

Do you have any legal powers to insist on a dropped kerb and vehicle crossover?

Yes, under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980.

Do I need permission and what are the procedures?

You will need permission from us. Our staff will assess every dropped kerb and vehicle crossover application from a safety and suitability viewpoint.

We reserve the right to refuse permission. You may also need planning permission from your local borough or district council and you should check with them. If you are renting a property, you are advised to check with your landlord.

The recommended procedure to follow is:

• download an application pack (PDF, 66k) or call 08458 247 800 to have one posted to you
• submit a completed application form together with your administration fee
• enclose written evidence to confirm that planning approval is/not required from your local borough or district council
• await receipt of your application.

How long does it take for an application to go through?

You should allow 8 weeks from the time we have received your completed application. Once approved, you have 6 months to complete the works, after which approval will lapse and you will need to re-apply.

Do I need permission from anyone else?

If you do not own the land between your property and the road, then you will need permission from the landowner. If the land is owned by the local council, you will need a licence and you may have to pay a yearly fee.

Do I have enough space within the boundary of my property to park a vehicle?

You will need enough space to park a vehicle wholly within your property perpendicular (at right angles) to the road. A minimum of 4.8m x 2.4m is required.

Can you refuse my application?

We could refuse your application, if the crossing would not be in a safe place. This might be on a junction, on the brow of a hill, at a bus stop or where it would be difficult to be seen.

How much do dropped kerbs and vehicle crossovers cost?

This depends on the size of the crossing, whether utilities' services or street furniture is affected and which contactor you use. Contactors' prices can vary from £1,000 to £2,500. You will be responsible for making payment to the contractor.

There is also a £150 non-refundable administration fee, payable to Kent County Council, for processing the licence and a final inspection fee of £150.

The final inspection fee will be refunded in the event your application is refused.

Am I responsible for the pipes and cables buried underground?

Yes. As part of our initial checks, we will contact all of the utility companies.

They will investigate to see what apparatus they have buried under the pavement where you want to construct the vehicle crossing. If any utility apparatus needs to be lowered or moved, you will be responsible for these extra costs.

Can I get help to pay for this?

You may be able to get some help if you have a blue disabled badge. You should ask about getting help at your local district or borough council.

Who can carry out the work?

We keep a list of approved contactors for this work. Lists are supplied as part of the application process and you should choose a contractor from the list. You are advised to obtain quotations from a number of contactors to assist you to make your choice.

Can I use my own contractor?

Vehicle crossover contractors must be on the list of approved contractors.

Application forms for inclusion on this list can be obtained from Paul Williams by emailing paul.williams@jacobs.com.

As a minimum, contractors will require £5 million public liability insurance and have New Roads and Street Works Act accredited supervisors and operatives on the Street Works Qualification Register.

How will I know if the work is satisfactory?

Once the work is completed, we will do a visual inspection to make sure that it meets relevant specifications. We will then advise you to pay your contractor.

If a defect occurs within the 2 year maintenance period then the contractor is required to repair it. To find out more about dropped kerbs, visit the permits and licenses section of the website.