How to Get a Free Dropped Kerb

Everyone loves a freebie- even if a dropped kerb isn’t top of your wishlist, it can be a valuable upgrade to your home, especially if you are eligible for help covering the cost.

However, the potential for it to be completely free of charge is rather small. In most cases, you’ll foot the bill for having a dropped kerb installed, but if you are registered disabled, you might be able to benefit from a specific grant that covers the cost of the application and the work. However, this grant is subject to the applicant meeting specific criteria.

If, for example, you are disabled and live in a home that is maintained by the local authority, the council has a responsibility to install a dropped kerb at no cost if it is required. If you live in a private residence, though, you’ll need to apply for the grant.

We’ll cover the grant a little further down the page. For now, we’ll dive a little deeper into the need for a dropped kerb and how much it may cost you if you are ineligible for any assistance.

Are there any other ways to get a free dropped kerb?

In most cases, you’ll pay for a dropped kerb. Unless, as we mentioned earlier, you are registered disabled and require the dropped kerb to gain access to your home.

In some cases, assistance may be available where dropped kerbs are free of charge or see costs reduced a little.

This could be for:

• Regeneration schemes: If councils are conducting street upgrades or regeneration work, dropped kerbs may be offered as part of wider improvements.
• Council tenants: Those living in council houses may be eligible for grants or get free dropped kerbs. This is not common and will vary across all councils.
• Council grants: In some cases, councils may offer grants to cover some of the costs. This is again something that varies from council to council and should not be expected as the norm.

Why would I need a dropped kerb?

A dropped kerb is required because it is an offence to drive over a pathway to gain access to your property without a kerb being lowered. This is due to the damage that could be caused to the path itself and any gas, electricity or water lines that are underneath.

A dropped kerb will also protect your car a little, as you won’t be driving over raised surfaces that might damage your vehicle.

The installation of a dropped kerb is required for two reasons. Either for a car to have off-street parking, or to assist wheelchair/mobility scooter users with gaining access to their property.

The thing is, as much as a dropped kerb might be essential, you can’t just go and install one when you feel like it. You’ll need to apply first.

How do I apply for a dropped kerb?

The application for a dropped kerb can vary slightly from council to council. As we are based in Sussex, we’ve used the West Sussex County Council process as a guide. In many cases, they are the same from council to council. However, there can also be a few differences. With that in mind, it would be best to head to the government website, enter your postcode and be directed to your local council website.

• See if you need planning permission. Speak to your local council to see whether planning permission is needed for a dropped kerb at your property.
• Gain approval from the county council. Once granted, you have six months to get the work completed.
• Obtain quotes from surfacing contractors. Ideally, 3-5, so you get an idea of the expected costs.
• The contractor applies for a licence to construct the kerb.
• A date is set by the contractor for work to start, and the council is informed.
• The work begins with a Highway Officer attending periodically to see how far along the project is and whether there are any issues.

Full guidance notes from West Sussex County Council are available here.

How much is a drop kerb?

When you make an application for a dropped kerb, there are a variety of fees that you may need to cover. Aside from the expense of having the kerb installed, you’ll have to cover other fees relevant to the application itself and the inspection of the area.

These can vary from council to council, but using West Sussex County Council as our guide, the fees would currently set you back:

• Planning permission – Not always applicable, but can cost £298+
• Vehicle Crossover (VCO) assessment fee – £207 (non-refundable)
• Vehicle Crossover (VCO) construction licence - £297
• Copy of VCO licence - £65.00

For an additional £50, you can pay for an application to be fast-tracked.

These costs, of course, do not include the actual construction costs of the dropped kerb, and these can differ in price quite substantially.

As you saw in our earlier list, obtaining a few quotes will help you find the best value for money. Expect the cost of lowering a kerb to be from as little as £600 to well over £2,000.

Additional costs may also be added should streetlights or traffic signs need moving, or a traffic regulation order need changing. These costs may vary per council and in some cases, are refundable.

The dropped kerb grant

One thing worth clarifying is that there is no such thing as a specific drop kerb grant. Instead, those registered disabled can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant. This is a grant that enables a resident to apply for financial help to have their home adjusted to match specific needs. An occupational health professional will visit the home, conduct an assessment, and determine whether there alterations need to be made.

If successful, the grant can be issued up to £30,000. The amount will depend on what work is required and what funds you may already have to cover any costs. You’ll also have to commit to living in the property for five years (the duration of the grant).

In most cases, the grant will cover not only the installation cost of the dropped kerb but also any planning permission and application costs.

Do you need planning permission for a dropped kerb?

Not always, but it is certainly common. You should investigate this before making any application to the council, as you could find yourself out of pocket. You don’t want to pay a fee, then find that permission won’t be granted, and you can't claim a refund on the fees you’ve paid already.

Planning permission for a dropped kerb is commonly needed when:

• Your property is on a major road
• Your home is a listed building
• Your home is in a conservation area
• Your property is split into flats
• A boundary wall higher than 1 metre needs to be knocked down to have the kerb installed.

You should check with your council in advance, as rules can vary.

What would happen if I started dropping a kerb without permission?

Put simply, you shouldn’t do this. The path isn’t your land to alter, so carrying out work on it would be illegal. This means you could be prosecuted and made to pay for the work to be reversed.

The problems may not end there either. Should an injury or damage be caused because of your dropped kerb, you’ll be held accountable, and this could result in a fine or prison sentence.

You may even find charges coming your way if the work has caused damage to water pipes, gas lines or the electricity supply.

Getting a free dropped kerb isn’t for everybody. In most cases, you’ll pay. Disabled residents in specific housing can be eligible for a free dropped kerb, and in some cases, may have to apply for a grant.

Just make sure you seek planning permission before applying for a dropped kerb, and seek out trusted surfacing contractors like Tidey & Webb. We provide commercial and residential surfacing solutions across the counties, utilising our many years of experience. Contact us now to get your quote.