Apply for a dropped kerb (vehicle crossover)

A dropped kerb or vehicle crossover is a slope built from the road to your gateway to make it easier to drive your vehicle in. Before you can construct your dropped kerb you must follow the steps set out below. 

1. Obtain permission from us in writing 

To obtain permission to construct a dropped kerb write to our Transport and Highways department at:

• Transport and Highways
  3rd Floor Blue Star House
  234-244 Stockwell Road, Brixton
  London, SW9 9SP

Or you can email cajames@lambeth.gov.uk.

In writing please state the following:

• you are the sole owner(s) of the property where the dropped kerb is to be located
• the parking area or driveway to be served by the dropped kerb is at least 2.4 metres wide by 4.8 metres deep, in order to safely accommodate a vehicle. The maximum width allowed for a crossover is 4 metres.

You should also submit a drawing that clearly shows the exact position of the proposed dropped kerb so that the Transport and Highways Area Engineer can accurately assess your request. The drawing does not have to be to scale.

On receipt of your written application, a Transport and Highways Area Engineer will visit the proposed location of the dropped kerb to grant his approval. He will ensure the proposed dropped kerb will not adversely affect highway safety.

Please note if the location of the proposed dropped kerb is in a Control Parking Zone (CPZ) area, you may have to pay the cost of revising the traffic order. This cost will be in addition to the cost of constructing the dropped kerb, obtaining necessary planning permission and clearances from utility companies.

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your application further, please contact The Lambeth Service Centre on 020 7926 9000.

2. Obtain  a Certificate of Lawfulness or planning permission

Once you have received a positive written answer from the Transport and Highways department contact the planning department to obtain a Certificate of Lawfulness or planning permission.

To obtain either of the above, you need to submit:

• the relevant application form
• the correct fee
• a copy of the approval letter from Transport and Highways - without this letter your application may be delayed or refused.

To discuss the correct type of application for your property and to obtain copies of the relevant application form contact:

• Duty Planning Officer
  Planning Department
  Phoenix House
  10 Wandsworth Road
  London SW2 2LL
  
  Telephone: 0207 926 1180
  Email: lambethplanning@lambeth.gov.uk

3. Submit your planning documents with your utilities clearance form

On receipt of your planning permission or a Certificate of Lawfulness, submit the documents to the Transport and Highways department with a utilities clearance application form. You would have been sent this form at the same time as the acceptance letter from the Transport and Highways department but you can also download the utilities clearance application form.

On receipt of the utilities clearance form and correct fee, the Transport and Highways Engineer will consult the statutory authorities - gas, electricity, water or telephone - for clearance to construct the dropped kerb.

4. Pay the charge for the construction of the dropped kerb

Once the utilities clearance has been completed, the Transport and Highways Area Engineer will re-visit the proposed site, mark up the location and provide you with a written quote for the dropped kerb.

You must pay the charge before Transport and Highways make any arrangements for the dropped kerb construction.

Please note you must complete the construction of the parking area or driveway before Transport and Highways arrange for the construction of the dropped kerb.