Dropped kerbs

Read the following information about dropped kerbs and how to apply.

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About dropped kerbs

A dropped kerb is a lowered, sloped section of pavement that allows a vehicle to be driven across the pavement onto a hard standing on the front of the property. Dropped kerbs are sometimes called ‘cross overs.’

Building a 'hard standing'

A 'hard standing' (also known as a drive, driveway or forecourt) is the area at the front of the property made of pervious material the vehicle will be parked on.

Hard standings must allow water to run off into the soil below. If you’re intending to use blocks or slabs, spaces must be left to allow water to drain in-between (known as a permeable hard standing) or you should use gravel to allow water to infiltrate through the entire surface of the material. A minimum area of 10% is required to be soft landscaping. 

Suggested permeable materials are Mono Blocks (concrete blocks or bricks), gravel, or permeable asphalt/resin bound. The Planning Portal has more information on constructing a hard standing. Water must not discharge onto the highway or into the public sewars.

Do not start any works on your hard standing until you have received approval for your dropped kerb.

It is important that the hard standing is completed to the required standard before any work begins to strengthen the footway and build the dropped kerb.

Acceptable permeable paving information

There are things you need to consider when designing any areas that will have block paving installed as hard standing.

We have put together specific permeable paving guidance.

These examples of permeable paving conform to the required highway standards for dropped kerb applications.

• Priora permeable paving, porous block paving systems, concrete blocks UK - Marshalls
• Drivesett tegula priora permeable block paving - Marshalls
• Permeable block paving for commercial projects - Tobermore
• Permeable block paving - Cobble 60 mm thick (80 mm and lachfield perme) - Total Driveway Supplies Ltd

Other permeable materials can be used, such as permeable asphalt/resin bound permeable gravel or gravel with gravel grids.

Drawings

A detailed drawing must be uploaded with your application. Showing the following information.

• Dimensions of the forecourt and all surface types
• A minimum of 10% should be soft landscaping
• Length of front wall to be retained
• Distance of new dropped kerb from the boundary and width. (The standard width of a dropped kerb is 2.4m)
• Details of materials and type to be used for any hard standing areas (These must be permeable, not just porous)
• Details of any drainage and where it drains to.(any soakaway dimension should be detailed
• Distance from any street furniture, tress, junctions, bus stops, islands or traffic calming

Costs

The cost of dropped kerbs can vary due to the size and work involved in creating them. The average cost is between £2,000 and £2,500. Lampposts, street furniture or utilities nearby can increase the cost as these may need to be adjusted.

The price of the application is a non-refundable charge of £275. This covers the initial assessment and detailed checks. If the application is approved, there is an administration charge of £630 that is included in the quote for the dropped kerb.

How to apply

You can apply online for a dropped kerb.

To request a paper form, email trafficandengineering@richmond.gov.uk. 

Paper applications must be returned to: Environment Directorate, London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames, Traffic & Transport, Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ.

Application process

Period	Stage	What happens
4 weeks	Pre-assessment	When an application is submitted a series of detailed checks are made with departments such as trees, planning, traffic, street lighting and parking, along with site visits to confirm dimensions. During this period there will be no updates available.
7 working days	Assessment	Once the application has passed all the checks an officer conducts an in-depth site visit to verify the measurements and the other details supplied in the application. A decision is made whether the application is approved or refused after this visit and the customer notified. Once your application is approved, you have a decision as to whether to proceed or to notify us that you want to stop the application. The quote sent to you will be valid for 3 months.
Up to 6 weeks	Construction	You must complete your hard standing to the required standing before you pay for your dropped kerb. All planning conditions must be cleared before paying for your dropped kerb. Once the hard standing is complete, you pay for your dropped kerb. The contractor is then notified who schedules the work. This can take up to 6 weeks, with the building of the dropped kerb taking from 3-5 days (depending on size, complexity and whether any utilities need moving). You will then be sent notification of the construction date, with the contactor giving you a courtesy call 3 days before your construction starts.

Other things to consider

Ensure you refer to the Highways authority requirements while making your application. Also consider the following points:

Check if you need planning permission

• Has your property had a planning application for a dropped kerb refused in the past? Use our planning search to do a quick back ground check.
• If the dropped kerb is to be on a ‘classified’ road (for example A, B or C roads) planning permission will be required.
• If the property is in a Conservation area, under Article 4 Direction or a Building of Townscape Merit (BTM) planning permission will also be required.

If the dropped kerb is to be on one of the two Red Routes in the Borough, applications are dealt with by TfL the authority responsible for these roads. For more information call TfL on 0845 305 1234. You will also need to gain planning permission from Richmond Council.

How to measure the plan

You will need to measure the plan of your dropped kerb. It is vitally important and in your best interests that you measure accurately as applications can be refused when the site visit determines the measurements fall below the minimum requirements.

• Print out the measurement guide form(pdf, 58KB) to note down your plan before entering into the online form.
• All dropped kerbs must enable a vehicle to be parked fully on the property, with no over hang on to the pavement.
• If the property is on a classified road (A,B and C roads) with a speed limit of more than 20mph, you must have enough room to turn the vehicle and exit in first gear.
• A minimum of 1 metre must be kept clear on one side to be used as footway access to the front door, for safety reasons. If this cannot be guaranteed your application may be refused.
• If you are applying together with a neighbour, you will need to put in separate applications with separate measurements.

My neighbour has a dropped kerb

Neighbouring properties with dropped kerbs cannot be taken as a guarantee that an application will be successful. In recent years changes in standards of engineering and improvements in design for safety has meant that many existing dropped kerbs would not be approved today.

Frequently asked questions

You may also find our frequently asked questions guide(pdf, 146KB) useful.