Information & Application details

A dropped crossing is necessary to prevent damage to both your vehicle and the pavement. Should you regularly drive across a pavement without first providing a dropped crossing, the Council has powers under the Highways Act to construct a dropped crossing or make good any damage to the pavement and recover the costs.

The Council may grant permission for a vehicle access to your property subject to the following conditions and procedure:

• Planning permission is required if your proposed access fronts a classified road.
• The Council or a Street Works accredited contractor must be employed to undertake the works.
• The appropriate fees must be paid.

If your road is likely to have its pavements and kerbs renewed in one of the current scheduled construction programmes, a crossing may be provided free of charge. Planning permission may be required for which a fee of £150.00 (VAT exempt) will be requested.

Who may undertake construction of the vehicle access?

• Bournemouth Borough Council.
• An approved contractor ( we will provide you with names and details of the currently approved contractors)
• A Street Works accredited contractor, subject to Council approval.

What costs are involved?

• £55.00 (VAT exempt) Administration Fee.
• £150.00 (VAT exempt) Planning Application Fee (if appropriate).
• £646.25 (VAT inclusive) Construction cost of a standard (not exceeding 5m length) Vehicle Access by Bournemouth Borough Council.
• Extensions to existing vehicle access will be charged at £129.25 per kerb inclusive of VAT.
• Quotation by your other chosen accredited contractor plus an additional licence fee of £252.50 payable to Bournemouth Borough Council.
• Extra costs may be incurred if street light columns or other Utility plant need to be repositioned. i.e. the raising or lowering of gas, water or any other inspection boxes.

How to apply for a Vehicle Access, Dropped Crossing

Complete the application form. Please telephone 01202 451680 (during office hours) to request a form to be sent by mail, or  open an Adobe Acrobat version to open an Adobe Acrobat version.

Enclose the £55.00 Administration Fee (payable to Bournemouth Borough Council) with your completed application form.

Upon receipt of your application, a Council Officer will visit the proposed site to assess the feasibility of the access. Enquiries will be made to determine whether planning permission is required. Public Utilities will be contacted to ensure that there will be no conflict with their apparatus.

If your application is rejected, you will be advised in writing with a full explanation.

Your £55.00 is not refundable in the event of a refusal.

If your application is feasible but requires planning permission:

1. You will be advised accordingly,
2. If planning permission is granted, you will be advised accordingly and permitted to undertake the works subject to paragraph 5 below.
3. If planning permission is refused, you will be advised accordingly. Your payment of £150.00 is not refundable.
4. If your application does not require planning permission, you will be advised accordingly and permitted to undertake the works subject to paragraph 5 below.
5. At this stage, following approval of your proposed vehicle access, you may now choose either the Council or an approved contractor to undertake the works. You are reminded that should you choose a Street Works Accredited Contractor, they will have to notify the Council that they intend to commence works and submit the notice fee of £252.50.
6. Upon receipt of the fee for construction by the Council, we will aim to complete the works within 2-3 weeks.
7. If there are any additional works to be carried out prior to the construction of the vehicle access, please advise us.

Consideration must be given to the correct disposal of water from your driveway surface and we will not provide a vehicle access unless appropriate action is taken. As directed by the Highways Act 1980 Section 163 anyone discharging water from their premises onto the public highway may be served notice by the Highway Authority (Bournemouth Borough Council) to take preventative action to correct this.

We insist on any alterations to the frontage of the property (the driveway) to be carried out and finished before we install the new access. This will allow for the correct levels once the vehicle access has been constructed.

On completing your new driveway (if applicable) please telephone Street Services (01202 451680) so that we can programme the vehicle access to be constructed as soon as possible.

Please note Bournemouth Borough Council does not under any circumstances undertake any works on private property, e.g. surfacing of driveways etc.

Contact Us

Please telephone (01202) 451680 (during normal office hours) to request a form to be sent to you by mail, or open an Adobe Acrobat version.

Email: highwaysmaintenance@bournemouth.gov.uk

For any other queries or comments,

Tel: 01202 451199 (during normal office hours),
Fax: 01202 451624