Dropped Kerb Birmingham

Kayts

Myself and semi detached neighbour have received a quote from Birmingham City Council for a double dropped kerb totalling £6000. This I feel is an extortionate amount to pay especially as it is the same amount as for the two driveways which will be much more work. I emailed the Council to ask for a list of approved contractors but they sent a short response stating they do not have a list and will appoint a contractor on my behalf. They also require money upfront and cannot guarantee when work will be carried out. Surely this is not acceptable? Anyone had a similar issue or found a cheaper way?

Browntoa

If you can only use the council recommended contractors then no alternative

visidigi

Kayts wrote: »

Myself and semi detached neighbour have received a quote from Birmingham City Council for a double dropped kerb totalling £6000. This I feel is an extortionate amount to pay especially as it is the same amount as for the two driveways which will be much more work. I emailed the Council to ask for a list of approved contractors but they sent a short response stating they do not have a list and will appoint a contractor on my behalf. They also require money upfront and cannot guarantee when work will be carried out. Surely this is not acceptable? Anyone had a similar issue or found a cheaper way?

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20109/parking/660/apply_for_a_dropped_kerb/4

Looks normal price - can be up to £6000 per single drop and was outlined on the application page?

LilElvis

Of course they want to control who does the work - they won't want you giving the job to a mate who swears he can do a great job for a couple of hundred quid.

shaun_from_Africa

If my neighbour was making renovations to his property and some of the work being carried out required their attaching something to the wall of my house, I would want to make sure that this was done in such a way that the work done was to a good standard and didn't damage or devalue my property.

All that your council are doing is the same.
The dropped kerb will be connecting your land to council owned or maintained land so they want to make sure that it is done correctly and if this requires their contractors to do the job to make sure that is up to their standards then this is their choice to make.

Aylesbury_Duck

Kayts wrote: »

Myself and semi detached neighbour have received a quote from Birmingham City Council for a double dropped kerb totalling £6000. This I feel is an extortionate amount to pay especially as it is the same amount as for the two driveways which will be much more work. I emailed the Council to ask for a list of approved contractors but they sent a short response stating they do not have a list and will appoint a contractor on my behalf. They also require money upfront and cannot guarantee when work will be carried out. Surely this is not acceptable? Anyone had a similar issue or found a cheaper way?

Of course it's acceptable. It's their pathway, their kerb, their pricing. A dropped kerb isn't essential so they're not extorting money from you. You're free to go without, it will cost you nothing.

If you absolutely must have a dropped kerb for a genuine accessibility requirement, there may be an alternative route. Otherwise, it's a luxury that you can decide to pay for or not.

unholyangel

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

If my neighbour was making renovations to his property and some of the work being carried out required their attaching something to the wall of my house, I would want to make sure that this was done in such a way that the work done was to a good standard and didn't damage or devalue my property.

All that your council are doing is the same.
The dropped kerb will be connecting your land to council owned or maintained land so they want to make sure that it is done correctly and if this requires their contractors to do the job to make sure that is up to their standards then this is their choice to make.

Have you ever seen the results of council contractors? :eek: Usually hodge podge jobs.

Although I agree with your reasoning. They have a duty of care to the public for what is a public road. Where members of the public could be injured or have their property damaged from bad workmanship that isn't "up to code".

They'll want to be in control so they can cover their rear end.

Mr_Singleton

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

If my neighbour was making renovations to his property and some of the work being carried out required their attaching something to the wall of my house, I would want to make sure that this was done in such a way that the work done was to a good standard and didn't damage or devalue my property.

All that your council are doing is the same.

Rubbish..... they're abusing there monopoly. If OP can get the work done to a satisfactory quality then that's all that matters.

Ganga

But if the council or their agent carries out the work the dropped kerb will be registerd and no one can park in front of it,if you just drive across the path to park on your land you could

a) find yourself blocked in by traffic parking on the road
b) get a bill from the council for damage to the footpath etc.

unforeseen

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Rubbish..... they're abusing there monopoly. If OP can get the work done to a satisfactory quality then that's all that matters.

Their land, their rules

mattyprice4004

Mr_Singleton wrote: »

Rubbish..... they're abusing there monopoly. If OP can get the work done to a satisfactory quality then that's all that matters.

It's not a monopoly, it's their land.
That's like me marching on to your land that I'm entitled access to, and demanding I use my own team for some work.

They don't own it, they merely have access. Not their land, not their choice. Pay or suck it up