If you are struggling to get on and off the roads within your area or outside of your home – whether as a motorist, a pedestrian or a wheelchair user – a dropped kerb could offer the perfect solution. Beneficial for a host of reasons, the process of pavement lowering is just one of the services UK Surfacings specialise in and, as a local authority approved company, can work in conjunction with your county council to provide high quality results which comply with all necessary regulations.

What is a dropped kerb?

In many places, especially at road junctions and in built-up pedestrian areas, kerbs are lowered in order to create a ramp that improves access for both pedestrians and motorists. A dropped kerb involves lowering the level of a particular section of pavement in order to provide a level access from the path or street on to the road. Removing the sharp and abrupt difference in height level makes it a lot easier for pedestrians to cross roads and motorists to park upon or access properties from them.

The process of pavement lowering involves lowering the kerbstones, so they are dropped from their original height, and then strengthening the pavement or verge so they are able to take the weight attempting to cross it.

Pavements are usually lowered for two reasons – to improve vehicle crossings or to make pedestrian and wheelchair access simpler, safer and much more convenient.
Dropped kerbs – vehicle crossings

Dropped kerbs for vehicles are provided to allow access for motorists from the carriageway on to, or across, footways and driveways. The level access means vehicles can mount driveways without harming the vehicle, such as impacting the tyres or scraping the bumper, or damaging the pavement. They are ideal for crossing over a path in order to reach your private driveway and can also create convenient parking spaces themselves, especially if your property has on-road parking.

Dropped kerbs can be provided by local councils at the request of the homeowner, subject to conditions, regulations and payment of installation costs, and all domestic vehicle crossings must be built by council approved contractors, such as UK Surfacings.
Dropped kerbs – wheelchair and pedestrian access

Pavement lowering is commonly undertaken to assist pedestrians and wheelchair users when moving on or off of footways. The level height allows easier access for people on foot and greatly improves the simplicity and convenience for wheelchair users, people with prams and pedestrians with walking difficulties.

Similarly to vehicle crossings, dropped kerbs for wheelchair and pedestrian access can be requested by homeowners or people who use the area and find crossing roads a challenge. All pavement lowering procedures must be approved by the council and undertaken by a local authority approved contractor – such as the experts at UK Surfacings.
UK Surfacings…

We offer a comprehensive pavement lowering service, here at UK Surfacings, and our fully trained and highly experienced team can assist you in every step of the process, from advising you on appropriate planning permissions and legal requirements, to finishing the pavement and crossing in the most professional manner. We ensure the dropped kerb is completed to the most superior standards and guarantee safe, secure and completely durable results.

Whether you are a commercial or domestic client, we can be of assistance. So if you would like to know about dropped kerbs and the process of pavement lowering or would like to arrange a free estimate, get in touch with the professionals at UK Surfacings today!