Kerb Dropping- How much does it cost?
The overall cost will be determined by the size of the footpath that will be used to reach the planned driveway, but a 5-kerb expansion with a footway width of up to 2 metres would cost roughly £700. This cost includes replacing kerbs with lower units and slanted kerbs, as well as excavating and rebuilding the crossing to protect any underground utility equipment. If the dropped kerb is to be installed on a Principal or Classified route, planning approval must be acquired from the planning department, which will incur a fee.
Kerb Dropping Advice
Dropped kerbs are a legal requirement should you need to access your driveway or property's land by mounting the pavement with your car. You are not allowed to simply drive over the pavement. Instead, you will need to install a dropped kerb. You could also find yourself at risk of liability for any breakage costs if you should damage the pavement or any associated materials or drainage elements beneath.
You should not simply hire a contractor for your kerb-dropping project. Firstly you need to find out the necessary specifications from the local council since you will need to provide these to the contractor. Before you decide which contractor you will hire you also need to check with the council that they have the standards needed in order to issue the licence to drop the kerb.
The contractor must be qualified to work on the highway and appropriately insured (public liability insurance in the amount of £5 million), as well as properly licenced under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, which the local authority may require evidence of. If utility apparatus is present in the work area, the contractor must check for it and communicate with the utility companies involved about any necessary changes.
Please keep in mind that if the crossing is examined by the local government and does not match their specifications, you will be required to reconstruct the crossing and will be responsible for any additional costs incurred - therefore hire an experienced and reputed contractor; this is not a DIY job!
