31 March 2025
At CS Paving & Surfacing, we specialise in all dropped kerb works and are a trusted contractor approved by the Lincoln City Council Highways team. With our expertise and commitment to quality, we ensure every project is completed to the highest standards, fully compliant with local regulations, and built to last. You can trust us for reliable and professional dropped kerb installations.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what a dropped kerb is, why it’s important for properties to have them along with the process of installation to the required specifications.
A dropped kerb is a lowered section of the kerb that allows for easier access for vehicles to enter or exit a driveway and this is exactly what our customer wanted. It is a crucial feature for ensuring safe vehicle movements, particularly for residents and businesses with off-road parking.
Installing a dropped kerb to the correct specifications is important to maintain the structural integrity of the street and ensure safety for all road users. The process involves working within specific guidelines set out by local county councils to ensure the work is done safely and to the highest standards.
1: Application for Permission from the Local Council
Before installation can commence, securing permission from the local council is mandatory. As an approved contractor, we were able to eliminate the stress for our client and submitted this on their behalf. This process involved submitting an application form and paying a fee which forms part of the total contract value (fees vary from council to council, this also depends on the size of the dropped kerb and whether it’s a new dropped kerb or an extension), the council then carried out an assessment and submitted an approval.
2: Survey
Once the application was approved, a site survey was conducted. This typically involves measuring the area, identifying underground utilities and checking surrounding surfaces.
3: Preparation
With all plans and survey in place, our next step was to mark out the existing area where the dropped kerb needed to be installed, typically using spray paint or chalk followed by removal of the existing kerbs to make way for new along with excavation of the existing ground.
4: Installation of Kerbs
We sourced the kerbs in line with specification and installed them to create the outline of the dropped kerb and to form a boundary between the road and driveway, these are usually granite or concrete and are carefully set on a concrete or mortar mix.
5: Installation of the Sub-Base
The excavation must be deep enough to accommodate the new kerbs and tarmac before tarmac installation can take place, we introduced a layer of a sub-base material to ensure proper drainage and stability therefore, this was laid over the prepared ground and compacted to create a stable base preventing the dropped kerb from sinking over time.
6: Laying the Tarmac
The tarmac layer is key to creating a durable and smooth surface and on this project we used our local supplier, Cemex. We laid the hot tarmac evenly over the prepared sub-base ensuring it covered the entire area and compacted it with heavy plant to bind the layers together and to prevent from future settling.
7: Finishing and Surface Restoration
Once the tarmac was installed and compacted, we made sure that any material or debris was cleared and the surrounding surfaces were cleaned.
8: Inspection and Approval
Our long-standing relationship with the Lincolnshire County Council enabled us to warrant a quick turnaround on the inspection and approval therefore, as soon as works were concluded, we obtained an approval within 1-2 days which was then passed to our customer for future reference.
Installing a tarmac dropped kerb involves careful planning, permission from the local council and following specific guidelines to ensure the installation is safe and functional. By following these steps, we provide a well-constructed dropped kerb enhancing vehicle access and compliance with all regulations.
For previous dropped kerb works, please visit: https://www.cspavingandsurfacing.co.uk/our-services/drop-kerbs-lincolnshire/
