Apply for a dropped kerb Click to get info
Waltham Forest Council as the Highways Authority will deal with the request with or without modification, or may propose alternative works or reject the request.
To apply download and complete the Application for a dropped kerb over the footway/verge 2018 (60KB PDF file)
Fees Click to get info
You’ll have to pay a processing fee and for the costs involved in installing the dropped kerb.
Fee for processing applications
- £180 which is non-refundable
This covers the processing of the application and the costs associated in providing the price for the work required.
You may have to pay additional fees if planning permission is required. Details of the current fees can be found on the Planning Portal website.
Costs of installing a dropped kerb/vehicle crossover Click to get info
If approved, a quotation for the works will be provided. You’ll be charged £230 per square metre plus the costs of moving any lamp columns or replacing street trees, as appropriate to the permission granted.
Payment must be received as a single payment, in full before any work is carried out. The Council will ensure that all works in connection with the dropped kerb are properly carried out.
Payment for a crossing doesn’t mean that you’ve bought the land that the dropped kerb goes over - this remains the responsibility of the council.
Dropped kerbs onto front gardens Click to get info
If you want to drive a car onto your property, the depth of the front garden needs to be 4.8 metres.
Where your front garden depth is between 4 to 4.8 metres you will have to enter into a conditional legal agreement with the council. In some cases we may refuse permission if no suitable off-street car parking can be provided safely.
Planning permission Click to get info
Planning permission isn’t usually required for this type of work, but will be if:
- the property has the frontage directly onto a classified road. See list of classified roads (13KB PDF file)
- the property is a listed building
- the property is other than a house for a single family, for example a flat or maisonette
- the property is in a conservation area
- the proposed hard standing has more than 5m2 of non-permeable surface
For information on planning permission can be found on our planning pages.
In most cases we’ll advise you whether planning permission is needed when you apply and send you the appropriate forms.
Report an illegal dropped kerb Click to get info
If you think a dropped kerb or vehicle crossover has been built without council permission, you can report it to Customer Services: wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk.
Driving over a kerb or verge without a crossover Click to get info
If you take your vehicle across the kerbed paving or grass verge without a properly constructed crossover you can damage the footway or verge. If you continue to do so you’ll be served with a formal notice.
If you don’t comply with a formal notice it may lead to a fine of up to £1,000and you’ll be charged for any works carried out by the council.
Blocking a dropped kerb Click to get info
Blocking or obstructing any dropped kerb is unlawful and the Council’s civil enforcement officers can issue a penalty. Once a penalty has been given the vehicle may also be towed away.
A vehicle doesn’t have to be fully blocking the dropped kerb to be committing a parking contravention.
The vehicle must be either:
- physically over (with any part of the vehicle) the point where the regular kerb meets the dropped kerb, or
- where the regular kerb starts sloping down towards the dropped kerb (also known as taper)
Report a vehicle blocking a dropped kerb Click to get info
To report a vehicle blocking a dropped kerb, call our parking enforcement contractors NSL. You must be prepared to leave your name, contact number, and the details of the location and vehicle.
NSL can be contacted on:
- 0203 092 0112 (option 5) Monday-Saturday 6.30am-10pm and Sunday 9am-5pm
- 07793 697 477 can be called as a secondary alternative
Outside these hours you can call the police to deal with the issue as an obstruction.
Help with completing online forms Click to get info
If you don't have access to a computer, you can visit a Library Plus branch where you can use a self-service pc to log your request/report. Staff are available to support you if you need it.