Dropped kerbs

There are two types of dropped kerb applications:

• pedestrian dropped kerbs
• vehicular access dropped kerbs.

These applications are processed by different teams within the council. To ensure your application is dealt with by the correct team, please ensure you fill in the correct dropped kerb application form depending on your request. For more help in understanding what type of dropped kerb you require, please read the information below.

Pedestrian dropped kerb

A pedestrian dropped kerb is where we lower the kerb to make it easier for people with impaired mobility and users of wheelchairs, pushchairs or trolleys to cross the road at certain points. The service is used mostly by people with a disability affecting their mobility, requiring access around the area that they live, and can also benefit partially sighted pedestrian locating crossing points.

We tend to programme the work in batches. This means that the work is cost effective but still timely. We usually undertake work twice a year. There is a limited budget for installing drop kerbs and the number of batches within a year may change due to demand.

This service is primarily for the benefit of people with a disability that affects their mobility. When applying for the service please indicate if you have a substantial disability that affects your ability to move on to and off a pavement, for example if you are a wheelchair user. 

In extremely rare cases with exceptional circumstance, we may consider completing a request outside of the usual work programme. 

Vehicular access dropped kerb

A vehicular access dropped kerb is a crossing across a public footpath or verge which allows your vehicle to gain access to your property from the highway.

Last updated : 3 July 2024

Vehicle access (dropped kerb) application guidelines for residential applicants

Before making your application please read the following guidance.

Planning permission

Planning permission may be required for the dropped kerb or any other associated work such as a new driveway. 

View information about checking to see if you need to obtain planning permission for a dropped kerb.

An inspection for a vehicle access will not be carried out until planning permission has been sought.

For any queries on planning permission for vehicle access applications, please contact 01952 380380.

Only the property owner can apply for a vehicle access. A tenant can apply but a letter of consent is required from their landlord. This approval letter has to be supplied to Telford & Wrekin Council with the application form attached before any inspection can be carried out.

The minimum requirement is 6 metres of available space between your property and the rear of the public footway and there is an area of hardstanding (for example not grass) to park your vehicle(s). You can still apply if there is not 6 metres available space, however, it makes it less likely that your application will be successful. This space is required as it is illegal for a vehicle to overhang onto the public footpath from a private property.

If you do not have this amount of space, an inspection is the best way to determine if a vehicle access can be installed and a Highways inspector can assess the application and give advice, payment is required for this.

Other factors taken into account when determining whether a vehicular dropped kerb can be safely approved include:

• That a driver entering the highway from the private access has an acceptable view of other road users approaching from both directions along the highway. The minimum required ‘visibility distance’ is determined by the general speed of traffic on the road and are as follows. Please note: these are all measured from a point 2.4 metres back from the edge of the road:

Please contact us for further information, for instance where the speed limit on your road is greater than 30mph.

• There is no impact on (or impact that can be removed) on items such as street lights, trees, speed cameras, telegraph poles or other items that may impede or be damaged by vehicles using the access (see further information below).

On approval, we will supply you with a list of contractors we currently have information on, to obtain independent quotes.

If you have a contractor in mind that is not within the supplied list, we require details of your nominated contractor and copies of their Public liability insurance and Streetworks accreditation before any works can be carried out.

Charges

There will be a charge of £265 to apply for a S184 application. Payment of the above fee is required on application and no inspection will be carried out if payment is not received.

After inspection, if the vehicle access request is refused, we will refund your payment minus £50 which covers the initial inspection. Refunds can take up to 28 days to process.

When you accept a quote from the contractor of your choice, you are entering into an agreement with them to carry out the works and payment must be made according to their quotation details.

Street furniture/Illuminated Street furniture

If any existing street furniture (street lights, bollards, street nameplates etc) require repositioning, you will be responsible for the cost of this work. On initial inspection, the Highways Technician will establish if this work is viable and your letter of approval/refusal will include this information.

Utility chambers or drains

If any existing utility chambers or drains require repositioning, you will be responsible for the cost of this work. On initial inspection, the Highways Technician will establish if this is required and your letter of approval will include information on who to contact to arrange this work.

Timescales

When you place your application a Highways Technician will carry out a site visit. You should hear from the inspector within 30 days to say whether your application has been approved or declined. You will receive a letter confirming this. 

Your vehicle access application is valid for 12 months from the date of your approval letter and all works must be completed before this time.

Last updated : 30 April 2025

Before you make your application please read the following guidance.

Planning permission

In all circumstances, you will need planning permission before your vehicular access will be approved. An inspection will not be carried out until planning permission has been granted.

On approval of your planning application, we require copies of the planning approval along with detailed drawings including a location plan at 1:500 scale with access points and road names, plans showing construction depth, drainage details and kerb/footway layouts. There can, in some instances, be a requirement to amend the design even after Planning has been approved however, this will not incur additional costs. Please contact 01952 384555 for any information if required.

You can use your own contractor or we can supply you with a list of contractors we currently have information on to obtain independent quotes.

If you have a contractor in mind that is not within the list we supply to you, we require details of your nominated contractor and copies of their Public liability insurance (minimum £5 million) and New Roads and Streetworks accreditation before any works can be carried out.

Charges

We will provide a bespoke quote when it come to the cost of the application in relation to the size and scale of a development that will cover administration costs, design checks and site inspections per opening. Please contact us in order to obtain a quote.

Payment is required upon the completion of the application and no inspection will be carried out if payment is not received.

When using a contractor, you are entering into an agreement with them to carry out the works and payment must be made according to their quotation details.

Street furniture removal

If any existing street furniture (lamp posts, bollards, street nameplates etc) require re-positioning, you will be responsible for the cost of this work. The Highways Specialist will establish if this work is required and will inform you accordingly.

Utility chambers or drains

If any existing utility chambers or drains require re-positioning, you will be responsible for the cost of this work. The Highways Specialist will establish if this work is required and will inform you accordingly.

Timescales

When you place your application a Highways Specialist will carry out a site visit. You should hear from the officer within 30 days to say whether your application has been approved or any alterations are required. You will receive a letter confirming this.

Your vehicle access application is valid for 12 months from the date of your approval letter and all works must be completed before this time.

Last updated : 3 July 2024

Resident application 

Before you apply, please ensure you have read the application guidelines for a resident dropped kerb applications. View information about vehicle access (dropped kerb) application guidelines for residential applicants before you apply by selecting the resident tab.

Complete our online form to apply for a pedestrian access dropped kerb

Complete our online form to apply for a resident vehicle access dropped kerb

Developer application 

View information about the application guidelines for a developer dropped kerb application before you apply by selecting the developer tab.

Download the application form to apply for a developer vehicle access dropped kerb (.pdf Size: 17Kb)

Last updated : 30 September 2024