Dropped kerbs in Southampton, approved first
Driving over a pavement without a dropped kerb is illegal, and only the council can approve one. Which council depends on where you live: Southampton City Council inside the city, Hampshire County Council in the towns around it. After approval, an accredited contractor builds the crossover.
- Help with the application and the drawing
- Built by a contractor with the right licence
- Planned together with the new drive
Which council approves your dropped kerb?
The council that looks after your road is the one that decides. The processes are similar, but the fees and timings are not.
| Southampton City Council | Hampshire County Council | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Addresses inside the city | Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, Hedge End, Fareham, Romsey, Totton |
| Application fee | £165 (non-refundable) | £211.90 (non-refundable), as listed |
| Faster option | None listed | Fast Track for £97 more |
| Decision | About four weeks | Eight weeks, or two on Fast Track |
| Who builds it | Your contractor, accredited under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, with £10m public liability | Your contractor, with £10m public liability, accredited staff and a Section 171 licence |
Hampshire County Council says its fees rise each year from 1 April, so check the current figure on its page before you apply.
Source: Southampton City Council: dropped kerbs; Hampshire County Council: apply for a vehicular accessWhy some applications are refused
Southampton City Council says it weighs trees, the loss of green space or verge, and the effect on on-street parking. Each case is judged on its own, and it can approve with changes, add conditions or refuse. If it refuses, there is one appeal.
Hampshire County Council works from a pre-application checklist, and says planning permission is needed if the access is off a classified road, meaning an A, B or C road. Crossings on unadopted roads do not need its approval.
Either way, the drive behind the kerb has to make sense: a parking space that a car fits on without overhanging the pavement.
Source: Southampton City Council: dropped kerbs; Hampshire County Council: apply for a vehicular access
What a dropped kerb costs
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Council application, Southampton City Council | £165 |
| Council application, Hampshire County Council | £211.90, or £308.90 with Fast Track |
| Building the crossover | £800 to £2,500 |
Most people combine the crossover with a new drive. See driveway costs for the drive itself.
From application to driving on it
Check the road
Find out which council looks after it and whether it is a classified road.
Apply
Send the form, the fee and a drawing of the planned crossover. We can help with the drawing.
Approval
A highways inspector visits. Once approved, the contractor applies for the licence to work on the highway.
Build
Kerbs lowered and the footway rebuilt to take a vehicle, usually with the new drive done at the same time.
Dropped kerb questions
How much does a dropped kerb cost in Southampton?
Inside the city, Southampton City Council charges £165 to apply. Building the crossover is typically £800 to £2,500, according to the BestBuilders 2026 guide. In the Hampshire County Council area, the application is listed at £211.90.
How long does it take to get a dropped kerb approved?
Southampton City Council aims to decide in about four weeks. Hampshire County Council gives an outcome within eight weeks as standard, or two weeks on its Fast Track for an extra £97.
Can I build my own dropped kerb?
No. Both councils require the work to be done by a contractor with £10 million public liability insurance and the right accreditation or licence. It is an offence to work on the highway without permission.
Is it illegal to drive over the pavement without a dropped kerb?
Yes. Southampton City Council notes that driving over an unauthorised footway or verge is unlawful under section 184 of the Highways Act 1980.
Do I need planning permission for a dropped kerb?
Hampshire County Council says planning permission is needed if the access is from a classified road, meaning an A, B or C road. Southampton City Council's page does not mention planning permission, so check with the council if you are on a main road.
What if my dropped kerb application is refused?
Southampton City Council allows one appeal, with details in the refusal letter. Application fees are non-refundable with both councils.
Need a dropped kerb and a drive?
Send the quick form and say you need a dropped kerb. We will tell you which council it goes to and what it needs.