Permission to Construct a Crossing For Vehicles Across a Footway or Grass Verge.

It is illegal under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980 to drive a vehicle from the public highway across the footway and grass verge and into a private property without written permission from the Council. If you have a garage or hard-standing within your property, there is a requirement under the Act for the provision of a properly constructed vehicle crossover.

Permission From the Planning Department

Not all properties are permitted to have a crossover and approval is subject to various requirements which are all detailed on the application form. If the proposed crossover leads onto an important classified road, you will first need to obtain planning permission. Planning permission may be required in any event if other building works are required such as a garage. If planning permission is required a fee will be payable. To find out if you need planning permission for your crossover.

Permission From the Highway Authority

Once you have obtained planning permission for the crossover you then need to make arrangements for the crossover proposal to be assessed and agreed by the Local Council's Highway Management Unit. A Highway Inspector will arrange to meet you on site and discuss the proposed crossover. The Inspector will look at the location of the crossover with respect to safety, existing street furniture and the space you have inside your property for turning etc. He will advise you about how big the crossover needs to be and what works will be required. If the Inspector thinks it is possible for you to have a crossover he will issue you with an information pack which gives a list of approved contractors who are accredited to work on the Highway and will suggest you obtain quotations for the work to be carried out. You or your contractor also need to indemnify the Council to the sum of £5,000,000 against all actions and claims arising from the construction of the crossover, and proof of this cover must be sent in to us.

Oatmor Harris Have £10,000,000 cover in respect of its public liability.

Inspection of the Construction Work

Once permission has been given by the Inspector and work starts on site, it needs to be inspected at various stages during the construction period. A fee of £150.00 (KCC only) will be charged by the Council to cover the cost of these inspections plus further charges if the work is carried out outside normal working hours and our inspector needs to inspect during the evenings or at weekends.

Other Information

All the other requirements you need to adhere to are detailed in the pack you will receive from the Inspector and he will explain what you need to do when he meets you on site.

If you have an existing crossover and you have increased the size of your garage or hard standing, the crossover will need to be extended accordingly. This is to prevent possible damage to the adjacent footway or verge due to the increased turning movements of vehicles. Again you need to adhere to the same procedure as for a new crossover. It is a good idea to apply for permission to extend an existing crossover before doing any work to increase the size of your garage or hard standing.

If you live in rented accommodation you still need to go through the same procedure as someone living in their own property.

Don't forget that before you do this you must contact the Planning Department and make sure you do not need planning permission first. 

Click HERE for an application pack