lowering a kerb quote

Dick_here

I got the permission letter from the council - valid for one year - then started getting quotes from a few of the approved contractors (the only ones allowed to do the work). Lowering the kerb - and removing a small wall to allow the off-road parking - got me quotes of nearer 2k than 1k. Trouble is, having got the council permission I can't really get it done 'on the cheap' as the council may be watching, and there's a fee to them of nearly £200 that the contractor has to pay to them too ! What a rip-off, you'd think they'd be delighted to get a car off the road...

ormus

thats why i never ask the council anything.:rotfl:
its far cheaper to restore summat if it goes pearshaped (after council action) than it is to go thro the proper channels!

generally speaking, councils only get wind of anything if a neighbour shouts his mouth off. so if your neighbours are half decent then youre 99% in the clear.

ie it wouldnt enter my head to enquire as to whether my neighbour had PP for his driveway or garage.

Dick_here

ormus wrote: »

generally speaking, councils only get wind of anything if a neighbour shouts his mouth off. so if your neighbours are half decent then youre 99% in the clear.

But they've already given me permission, and there's money in it for them if I go ahead officially. So isn't it likely that they'll be driving past from time to time to check up if any work has taken place ?

theadore_2

!!!!!!_here wrote: »

But they've already given me permission, and there's money in it for them if I go ahead officially. So isn't it likely that they'll be driving past from time to time to check up if any work has taken place ?

you are aware that would be efficient of them?

adandem

You will need to get council permission, I was advised that this can just take the form of a phone call.
One of the reasons is public liability, if someone trips on the pavement outside your house either during or after the work has been, the council will not be liable, you or the people who did it will.

Dick_here

I've got permission, that's the problem now that I've started getting official quotes for the work !

KateB_2

Every Authority works differently - some allow you to do the work if you use their approved contractors, others will insist that they do the work themselves. You need to be careful as it is an offence to carry out works in the highway without prior consent. My Authority would certainly not give consent in a phone call.

Generally costings are calculated on the width (number of kerbs) x depth of crossing (ie pavement width plus any verge) x standard of construction required (lightweight for an individual dwelling house). I have heard of an Authority that works on a rule of thumb of £150 per kerb stone. If there are any services in the existing pavement or verge then this will up the price - if your contractor hits these then it could be very costly (they will hopefully have insurance) - that is why I wouldn't take the risk doing the works without all of the necessary consents.

If your house is on a new development then the road probably won't be adopted yet so you will only need the consent of the developer at this time. However, if the road is to be adopted and is covered by a Section 38 Agreement then the Highway Authority may chose not to adopt the development if a new access has been constructed which they are not happy with - they may ask for your crossing to be removed and the developer may want you to do this so that the development can be signed over.

Also, if you are on a classified road then planning permission will also be required (in addition to consent from the Highway Authority). This applies to all 'A' 'B' and 'C' roads.

Hope this helps. Yes, I know I'm a geek! (I love my yellow coat sooooooo much, how sexy can a girl look?!)