Vehicle crossings (dropped kerbs)
What are vehicle crossings?
A vehicle crossing (dropped kerbs) allows you to access your
property safely and easily when you are using a car or other
domestic vehicle. This means that the kerbs are dropped from their
normal height and the pavement or verge is strengthened to take the
weight of the vehicle crossing it.
Driving over a pavement or kerb without a vehicle crossing
may damage the pavement or any pipes or cables that are buried
underneath it. The crossing allows you to pass safely from the
carriageway preventing any obstructions to the highway.
Apply for a vehicle crossover
To help you through the process please read:
Self assessment guidance (PDF, 311k)
Self assessment guidance (Word, 1.27Mb)
Before completing and returning your form please note:
- You may need planning permission for some vehicle crossings,
depending on the road's classification.
- You should check with your local
borough, city or district council before returning
your application form. No works can start until you have
received this permission.
- If the crossing will be used for heavier vehicles (more than
3.5 tonne), you will need an enhanced crossing and you must note
this on the application form and contact us for further details
regarding the size of crossing you wish to apply for.
- You should enclose written evidence to confirm that planning
approval is/not required from your local borough or district
council.
You should allow eight weeks from the time we have received
your completed application. Once approved, you have six months
to complete the works, after which you will need to re-apply.
Please note that due to a high number of applications
currently being received, some applications are taking up to 12
weeks to deal with. We apologise for this additional delay.
Please be assured that we are doing everything that we can to
reduce this timeframe.
Cost to apply
The cost to apply for permission is £308.
£150 is returnable if the vehicle crossing permission is
declined/not approved.
If you are a registered disabled person you may be able to apply
for financial assistance for the construction of the vehicle
crossing from your local borough,
city or district council.
Cost of work
This depends on the size of the crossing, whether utilities'
services or street furniture are affected and which contractor
you use. Contractors' prices can vary from £1,000 to £2,500. You
will be responsible for paying the contractor.
Sometimes additional works are needed
to build the crossing. You will need to pay for these.
I’m moving house - how can I prove the vehicle crossing in
place is authorised?
We can carry an out an investigation to check available records
or inspect the site and assess the crossing that way. We would then
confirm in writing whether the crossing was constructed with
approval and the current maintenance arrangements. There is a
charge of £42 for this service.
Please write in, email us at highways@kent.gov.uk
or log your request with our contact centre on 0300 333 5539.
Forms for contractors