Drop Kerb Installation in Bristol
£1,200–£2,500 for a typical installation · Free no-obligation quote · Fully insured · 10+ years experience
Drop Kerbs Specialists Serving Bristol & City of Bristol
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, 10+ years experience, free site survey and written quote.
Bristol is our home turf — we've completed hundreds of driveways, patios and fencing projects across the city and surrounding North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. From period terraces in Clifton and Redland to modern estates in Emersons Green and Bradley Stoke, we know the ground conditions, the local planning authority requirements for permeable surfaces in the BS postcode area, and exactly what works for Bristol properties. We cover every corner of the city plus all surrounding areas.
Fully Insured
Public liability covered
10+ Years
Experience in the trade
5-Star Rated
Google reviews
Fixed Price
No hidden extras
Drop Kerbs Cost in Bristol
Guide prices — every job is different. We always provide a fixed written quote before any work starts.
Starting From
£800
smaller jobs / favourable access
Typical Range
£1,200–£2,500
average-sized job in Bristol
Per m²
Priced
costs vary by council area, footway width, distance from road edge, and kerb complexity — council application fees are separate and vary by local authority
Want an exact price?
We visit your property, measure up and give you a written fixed-price quote — completely free and with no obligation. Prices vary by size, access, groundwork requirements and material specification.
Everything in Your 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 Drop Kerbs?
- 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
- 10+ years experience, fully insured, free no-obligation site survey
Lifespan
20–30+ years — dropped kerbs are a permanent highways feature
Planning
A dropped kerb requires approval from your local highways au…
Planning Permission in Bristol
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, pay a fee (typically £100–£500 depending on the council), and the authority approves the works. Some councils require their own highways team to do the work; others permit approved contractors. We know the process for every council in our coverage area and can advise on the correct application route during your free site survey.
What Customers Say About Our Drop Kerbs
“Absolutely brilliant job on our block paving driveway. The team were professional, tidy and finished ahead of schedule. Couldn't be happier.”
Mark T.
Bristol
“Had a full resin driveway done — looks incredible. Neighbours have been asking who did it ever since. Will definitely use again.”
Sarah W.
Gloucester
“Great value for money. Turned up when they said they would, which is rare these days. Patio looks fantastic.”
Dave H.
Cardiff
Drop Kerbs Questions Answered
How much does a dropped kerb cost in the UK?+
A dropped kerb typically costs £1,200–£2,500 for a standard residential installation, including breaking out the existing kerb, installing dropped kerb stones to BS 7533 standard, and reinstating the footway. Council application fees vary by local authority — typically £100–£500 on top. Some councils require their own highways team to complete the work, which increases cost. We provide a full breakdown after your free site survey.
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.
Other services we offer in Bristol:
Covering Bristol and: Clifton · Redland · Bedminster · Horfield · Henleaze · Bishopston · Westbury-on-Trym · Fishponds · Whitchurch · Hartcliffe · Knowle · Brislington · Kingswood · Bradley Stoke · Emersons Green · Filton · Patchway · Yate · Chipping Sodbury · Thornbury · Winterbourne · Frampton Cotterell · Mangotsfield · Downend · Staple Hill · Portishead · Clevedon · Nailsea · Backwell · Long Ashton · Weston-super-Mare · Keynsham · Saltford
Ready for a new drop kerbs in Bristol?
Free, no-obligation quote. We visit, measure up and give you a fixed price — no hidden costs.