A dropped kerb in Birmingham and the West Midlands typically costs £1,200–£2,500 for the work, plus the council's own fees. The work covers lowering the kerbs and rebuilding the pavement across the crossing to take a car. The council's fees cover checking your application and, in some areas, supervising or doing the work themselves. Every council does it slightly differently, which is why dropped kerbs are always priced after a free visit rather than from a table.
Ground and Gate passes dropped kerb enquiries to a local driveway specialist, who can explain the council's process for your address and quote for the work where the council allows it.
What makes up the cost
| Part of the cost | Typical amount | Who you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Council application or inspection fee | Varies by council, often a few hundred pounds | The council |
| Building the crossing (kerbs, sub-base, surface) | £1,200–£2,500 | The contractor, or the council where it does the work |
| Permit or licence to dig in the highway | Varies, sometimes included | Usually the contractor passes it on |
| Traffic management, if the road is busy | Varies | Contractor |
| Moving a lamp post, sign or utility cover | Priced separately by the owner | Council or utility company |
| Planning permission (classified roads, some listed buildings) | Council planning fee | The council |
The £1,200–£2,500 range reflects the width of the crossing and the pavement. A standard crossing is usually three to four lowered kerbs with a sloping kerb either side. A wider crossing, a verge to cross, a pavement over 2m deep, or a need to lower an inspection cover all push the price up.
Council by council
Each council is the highway authority for the pavement outside your house. You need its consent before any kerb is lowered, and you must not drive across a raised kerb in the meantime. The table covers the councils for our ten West Midlands areas. Fees and rules change, so always check with the council before you apply.
| Council (our areas) | Application route | Fee | Who cuts the kerb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham City Council (Sutton Coldfield, North Birmingham, South Birmingham, Edgbaston and Harborne) | Online application to the council; site inspection before approval | Non-refundable application fee, then an administration fee if approved | A contractor on the council's accepted list, working under the council's conditions |
| Solihull MBC (Solihull) | Online application to the council | Non-refundable administration fee, then the balance for the works | The council's own highways contractor |
| Walsall Council (Walsall) | Domestic vehicle crossing application to the council | Check with the council | Check with the council |
| City of Wolverhampton Council (Wolverhampton) | Footway crossing application pack; council officer inspects | Inspection fee, then a further fee | Your own contractor, who applies to the council; the council does not build them |
| Dudley MBC (Dudley and Stourbridge) | Application to the council | Check with the council | The council, or your own contractor holding a street works licence |
| Coventry City Council (Coventry) | Online application in two parts; council sends an estimate if approved | Fee depends on whether the council's contractor or an external contractor is used | The council's contractor or an accepted external contractor |
| Staffordshire County Council (Lichfield and Tamworth) | Online application to the county council, not the district | Non-refundable application fee, plus a permit to dig | A contractor accredited to work on the highway, who applies for the permit |
In Lichfield and Tamworth, the pavement is looked after by Staffordshire County Council as highway authority, so the application goes to the county rather than to Lichfield District or Tamworth Borough Council.
Worked examples
Standard crossing where your own contractor builds it
Contractor's work at £1,200–£2,500, plus the council's application and inspection fees. Where a council's fees come to around £400–£550 in total, you would be looking at roughly £1,600–£3,050 overall.
Dropped kerb and new two-car drive together
A 30m² block paved drive on an old lawn is about £3,550–£5,730 (see the driveway cost per m² guide). Add £1,200–£2,500 for the crossing and the council's fees, and the total is roughly £4,750–£8,230 plus fees. The top of that range goes over £8,000, so this job would be priced after a free survey. Doing both at once means one crew and one set of machinery, and the drive and crossing meet at the right level.
What pushes the price up or down
- Width. Each extra kerb adds material and labour.
- Pavement depth. A deep pavement, or a grass verge between the pavement and the road, means more to dig and rebuild.
- Obstacles. Lamp posts, street signs, utility covers and bus stops can stop a crossing or add large costs to move.
- Road type. A busy or classified road may need traffic management and planning permission.
- Frontage depth. Most councils only allow a crossing if a car can park fully off the pavement, which usually means a front garden around 4.8m deep or more.
What is included
The contractor's price should cover breaking out the pavement, lowering the kerbs, laying a sub-base built to take vehicles, resurfacing the crossing, and taking the waste away. Ask whether the permit to dig and any traffic management are included, and whether the council's fees are in the price or paid separately.
How to get a fixed price
- Check the frontage depth and look for lamp posts, covers or signs near where the crossing would go.
- Read how to get a dropped kerb for the steps.
- Use the quote form and add photos of the pavement, the kerb and your front garden from the road.
- We pass your enquiry to one local driveway specialist, who arranges a free visit and explains the council's process for your road.
Questions
How much is a dropped kerb in Birmingham?
The work is typically £1,200–£2,500, plus Birmingham City Council's application and administration fees. Check the current fees with the council before applying.
Do I need permission for a dropped kerb?
Yes. You need consent from the highway authority, which is your council (Staffordshire County Council in Lichfield and Tamworth). Some roads also need planning permission.
Can any builder drop my kerb?
No. Depending on the council, the work is done by the council itself or by a contractor it accepts, holding the right licence or permit to dig in the highway.
How long does it take to get a dropped kerb?
Allow several weeks to a few months from application to completion, depending on the council's workload and whether planning permission is needed.
Can I park across the pavement before the kerb is dropped?
No. Driving across a raised kerb is an offence and can damage pipes and cables under the pavement.