Dropped kerb the story so far...

TallGirl

We had our driveway extended a couple of years ago so we can not have 2 cars side by side. However we have to drive over a kerb which forms part of a parking bay in front of our house. We live in a cul-de-sac and the road is made of nice block paving. We thought about getting the kerb dropped but thought no it is too much hassle.

2 years later I get a larger car now getting annoying to drive over kerb onto grass which looks a mess so I go and see the Highway Department at my local Council. I went there on the 10th August they gave me a form to fill in but said they would check it out and get back to me.

I have worked 8 years for a local authority so thought yeah right. Did not get around to filling in the form but got a call 6 days later from the Highway Department. They had been to check it out, they are happy it does not need planning would be like to be sent the initial quote in the post.

Quote arrived 17th August admin fee of £95 approx cots incl fee £544.41 please signed this form and we will send you a final quote within 6 weeks.

I know you might this that is expensive and that we have to use their contractors but what I am raving about is the speed and the non hassle it has been to get this far.

I mean where can you get a government department to act without filling in a form, paying an upfront fee and they do it all in less than a week. I am really impressed so I will post off the form and wait for my final quote.

Really what I wanted to say with this post is don’t always moan about Local Authority and – no I no longer work for them. :j

Anyone else had any experience of this, good or bad please let me have them them:question:

Bossyboots

I hate to burst your bubble, but these quotes are pretty standard so it doesn't take long to get them out. The time to start raving is when the work is done quickly. If you live in my area, there is an 18 month waiting list.

clutton_2

about 2 months ago i had a housing benefit application AND money paid into my bank account within 10 days when it was normally taking 6-8 weeks at that time !!!!

TallGirl

Thanks Bossyboots, I thought it was too good to be true I was just amazed they bothered to come out of their office to look at the site without asking to be paid first.

Also thanks to Clutton in my old job an application for HB would take anything up to 6 months to 10day is actually 5 days inside the government target so that is brilliant.

clutton_2

mind you, this particular office is "having a new computer in September" so no new claims have been input since last week in July ....... AAAARRRRGGGGG - i wont get my latest rent till Christmas at this rate !!

TallGirl

Finally able to update on the dropped curb. After chasing the council and getting lots of excuses I now have the final quote and it is £544.41.

I need to pay now and then they will order the works with the contractor who will get in touch with me. It says 6 weeks but hey late Spring might be more likely. Anyway at least something has happened.

Mrs_Optimist

GOSH! I recently called our local Council who aranged for someone to come out the very next day to price up the job, gave me a verbal quote there and then and confirmed in writing the following day! Not going ahead with it now after all because

a: The price has doubled since we had the last dropped kerb done (we have a very large front garden with the capacity to have have two drives put in)

b: Decided to move house anyway!

TallGirl

Just to let anyone know who is interested that after paying the money to the Council at the beginning of December nothing happened until this week when we got a call to say the contractors would turn up and do the work.
They came all 5 of them, with loads of machines and vehicles and started on the work. 4 hours later they had all but the top coat on and they are coming back Money to complete that. It look really nice and they have actually done a large section probably 2m x 1m so very happy.

Now we just have to see if they come back.

Louise1521

We've been very lucky recently. We too had the dropping of the kerb of things to do. Last month workmen turned up in our cul de sac to dig up the pavements, they knocked at the door asking if we wanted the kerb dropping, as apparently the council had told the contractor that they could do it whilst doing the pavements. Couldn't believe it, that we had something done for free for the first time ever!!! Mind you, I have to say I was quite cynical at first, my first reaction was, how much is it going to cost?

TallGirl

Just to let you know they did come back as promised today and lay the top layer of tarmac. It really does look so nice and it will make such a big difference to the front of our house. No more driving over the grass and the drain cover.

I know it took over 5 months in the end and cost over £500 but I think that is money well spend and not as much hassle as I thought it would be.