Bristol and Gloucester Paving

Drop Kerbs Across the South West & South Wales

Free no-obligation site visit · Fixed written price · No deposit · Fully insured · 20+ years experience

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Drop Kerbs Specialists

Professional Drop Kerbs Installation

A dropped kerb — also called a vehicle crossover — is the lowered section of kerb and footway that allows vehicles to safely cross the pavement onto a private driveway. Without one, driving over the kerb is illegal under the Highways Act 1980 and your local council can issue enforcement notices and fines. We specialise in the full dropped kerb process from start to finish: preparing and submitting your council crossover application, managing any highways authority requirements, and carrying out the physical installation to the correct specification. Works typically involve breaking out the existing raised kerb, installing BS 7533-compliant splayed or bull-nosed kerb stones, reinstating the footway surface to match, and ensuring surface water drainage is maintained. Whether you're having a new driveway installed and need a drop kerb to complete it, or you already have a driveway but never had the kerb lowered legally, we handle everything. Fully insured, 20+ years experience, free site survey and written quote.

Fully Insured

£5M public liability

20+ Years

Trade experience

5-Star Rated

23 verified reviews

Fixed Price

No hidden extras

What's Included

Everything in Your Drop Kerbs Quote

  • Council crossover application assistance — we advise on requirements per local authority
  • Breaking out existing raised kerb and footway surface
  • Installation of BS 7533-compliant splayed or bull-nosed dropped kerb stones
  • Footway reinstatement to match existing surface finish
  • Surface water drainage maintained throughout
  • Tactile paving installed where required near junctions
  • All works carried out to highways authority standards
  • Full site clean on completion
Why Choose Us

The Benefits

  • Fully legal — protects you from council enforcement, fines and liability
  • Completes your driveway properly — a new driveway without a drop kerb is unusable
  • We handle the council paperwork — no dealing with highways departments yourself
  • Installed to BS 7533 highways standard — accepted by all local authorities
  • Often combined with new driveway installation for a single mobilisation cost
  • 20+ years experience, fully insured, free no-obligation site survey

Typical Lifespan

How long it lasts

20–30+ years — dropped kerbs are a permanent highways feature

Planning Permission

Do you need it?

A dropped kerb requires approval from your local highways authority — this is separate from planning permission and is managed through the council's crossover or vehicle access application process. In most areas you submit an application and the authority approves the works before we carry them out. Some councils require their own highways team to do the physical work; others permit approved contractors. We know the process for every council in our coverage area and will guide you through the correct application route during your free site survey.

Our Work

Recent Drop Kerbs Installations

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Where We Install

Drop Kerbs in 29 Locations

Serving South West England, South Wales and the Midlands fringe. Find your town or city below for a dedicated local page.

Drop Kerbs BristolDrop Kerbs GloucesterDrop Kerbs CardiffDrop Kerbs NewportDrop Kerbs CheltenhamDrop Kerbs BathDrop Kerbs SwindonDrop Kerbs Weston-super-MareDrop Kerbs ChippenhamDrop Kerbs StroudDrop Kerbs TewkesburyDrop Kerbs YateDrop Kerbs ThornburyDrop Kerbs KeynshamDrop Kerbs TrowbridgeDrop Kerbs CalneDrop Kerbs CorshamDrop Kerbs CwmbranDrop Kerbs BridgendDrop Kerbs BarryDrop Kerbs CaerphillyDrop Kerbs PenarthDrop Kerbs PontypriddDrop Kerbs MonmouthDrop Kerbs EveshamDrop Kerbs ColefordDrop Kerbs CinderfordDrop Kerbs LydneyDrop Kerbs Newent
FAQs

Drop Kerbs — Questions Answered

How much does a dropped kerb cost in the UK?
Dropped kerb cost varies depending on the footway width, the number of kerb drops required, the local council application process, and whether the council requires their own highways team to complete the work. Every installation is individually surveyed — we provide a full fixed written quote covering all elements after your free site visit.
Do I need council permission for a dropped kerb?
Yes — you must get approval from your local highways authority before any work is carried out. Driving across a kerb without a properly approved and installed dropped kerb is illegal under the Highways Act 1980 and can result in enforcement action, fines, and an order to reinstate the kerb at your own expense. The application process varies by council — we advise on the correct process for your area as part of your free site survey.
How long does it take to get a dropped kerb approved?
Council approval times vary by local authority. Most councils take 4–12 weeks to process a crossover application. Some have longer backlogs. We advise you to apply well in advance of when you want the work done — ideally at the same time as planning any new driveway. We can guide you through the application and liaise with the council on your behalf.
Can I install a dropped kerb myself?
No — the footway (pavement) is public highway and any works on it must be carried out by the council or a council-approved contractor. Unauthorised works on the public highway are illegal regardless of whether the kerb is on the boundary of your property. We are experienced in working to highways authority standards and can complete the installation correctly once approval is granted.
What is a vehicle crossover application?
A vehicle crossover application (also called a dropped kerb application or access crossover application) is the formal request you submit to your local highways authority to lower the kerb outside your property. The application typically covers: the location and dimensions of the proposed crossover, a drainage statement, and in some councils a basic drawing. We help you prepare and submit the application as part of our service.
Can a dropped kerb be installed at the same time as a new driveway?
Yes — and this is the most cost-effective approach. We typically carry out driveway and dropped kerb works in a single mobilisation, reducing cost and disruption. The driveway works can begin immediately while the council application is in progress — the dropped kerb is usually the final element completed once approval is confirmed. We sequence the works to minimise inconvenience.
What happens if I already have a driveway but no dropped kerb?
This is common — many homeowners converted their front garden years ago without going through the proper process. The good news is there is no time limit on applying retrospectively. We carry out dropped kerb installations for existing driveways regularly. The application process is the same as for a new driveway. Until the dropped kerb is approved and installed, you are technically driving on the public highway illegally each time you park on your driveway.
What are the UK dropped kerb rules?
Under the Highways Act 1980, you cannot drive a vehicle across a raised kerb onto private land without an approved dropped kerb in place. The core rules are: (1) you must get approval from your local highways authority before any work starts; (2) the installation must meet BS 7533 and your council's own crossover specification; (3) you cannot carry out the work yourself — the footway is public highway and must be built by the council or an approved contractor; (4) surface water drainage has to be maintained; and (5) tactile paving must be installed where required near junctions or pedestrian routes. Breaching these rules can result in enforcement action, fines, and an order to reinstate the kerb at your own cost.
What happens if I have a dropped kerb without permission?
An unauthorised dropped kerb — or driving across a raised kerb as if it were a crossover — is illegal under the Highways Act 1980. Your local highways authority can issue an enforcement notice requiring you to reinstate the kerb to its original specification at your own expense, and you may face a fine. Your vehicle insurer may also refuse a claim involving damage caused on the footway. The practical solution is to regularise the installation retrospectively by applying to the council and bringing the work up to spec — there is no time limit on doing this. We handle retrospective applications as a standard part of our service.
How do I apply for a dropped kerb?
The application process varies by council, but typically involves five steps: (1) check your council's website for an online crossover or vehicle access application form — most authorities have one; (2) gather your property address, plot measurements, and the proposed kerb location; (3) submit the application with the council's fee, which usually falls between £100 and £300 depending on the authority; (4) a highways officer visits to inspect the site and check feasibility and road safety; and (5) approval normally arrives within 4–12 weeks, after which an approved contractor can carry out the work. We prepare and submit the application on your behalf as part of our service and handle all council correspondence.

Ready for your drop kerbs quote?

We'll visit, measure up, and give you a fixed-price written quote with no obligation. No deposit required to book the work.

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