Dropped Kerb Shenanigans

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Dear denizens of BCF,

I have a hankering for a dropped kerb in front of chez Joe. I have a small front garden type thing that Mrs Joe uses to grow plants and things, obviously this would be better used to park a motorbike on, so that's my plan.

It's not a big area - not big enough for a car really but plenty big enough for a bike. From my limited reading from the internet the rules for being successful in your application varies from council to council. The guidance notes for Surrey can be found here

https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/53583/18th-VCO-Guide-Notes-April-2015.pdf

From what I can see the rules state, apart from don't be near a tree or street lamp :

"You must have sufficient room on your property for a vehicle to be parked without it overhanging the public highway."

Yep, not a problem, it goes on to say

"The minimum requirement for a car to be parked on the owner’s property at right angles to the road is 4.8 metres deep by 3.2 metres wide. A minimum width of 2.4 metres may be considered in some cases. The width may need to be increased at the highway officer’s discretion to ensure safe entry and exit."

Not parking a car, can I ignore this? (My front garden isn't quite that big)

As each council has their own seemingly arbitrary rules as to what's allowed, I had a quick look at S184 Highways Act 1980 and can see no mention of minimum areas in there.

I did email my council for clarification and received an automated email basically saying we're too busy, don't expect and answer any time soon.

Does anyone else have experience of having a dropped kerb installed specifically for motorbike access?

Cheers

[lihp]

You're going to pay over a grand for a dropped kerb? For a bike?
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covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

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[ajag]

[bugeye_bob]

I think OP wants a dropped kerb to stop others parking in front of his house, and making it easier to get his bike on the front garden.

[lihp]

[.....]

Theoretically I could park my bike in my front garden now, whether or not I'd be able to get my bike out again when someone blocks me in is another matter.

I would probably then park my car in front of the dropped kerb although I have said to the missus that we would tell the neighbours to feel free to park in front of the kerb so long there is enough room to get the bike out.

[iooi]

You need to also check house deeds/planning regulations. As many will state you can't park in front of the house line.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Andy_Pagin]

[zark]

i would hazard a guess that the regs mention dimensions suitable for a car - so if you sell your house (with a dropped kerb) the buyer may assume that he could fit a car on it in the future?

Here in Herts - they also specify that there must be a drain installed so surface water doesn't flow across the footpath, as well as some guff about foliage and vegetation and sight lines etc, before giving permission to have a dropped kerb

I'd probably just throw a lump of timber in the gutter for easier access if the kerb is that high
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[Nobby the Bastard]

[t121anf]

[BTTD]

[yen_powell]

The 4.8 comes from the standard size for a parking bay that is end on (4.8x2.4m).

When I used to say yes or no to dropped kerbs for drive ways I had to make sure the car wasn't going to overhang the public footway (hence the 4.8m) but also the car mustn't block the front door of the property for obvious reasons.

There are rules nowadays that mean you have to have a permeable drive to stop all the nasty flooding for northerners.

I would get a request for a crossover. A quick visit to see if there was enough space and the vehicle could physically turn out of the drive, so no parking spaces opposite that would make the road too narow for instance. Then look at the stats boxes, BT or fibre would need to be moved or strengthened, water/gas valves can stay where they are usually. If there was a lamp post, traffic sign or parking bay, could they be moved?

I would knock up an estimate and send it to them. If they hadn't fainted from the cost and paid up, I wouldn't start work till they had removed any wall or fence and put down their surface to make sure they were at the correct footway level and not draining any of their rainwater on to the highway.
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Blackmail is a nasty word........but not as nasty as phlegm!
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Thanks for the info. I still haven't heard back from the council but will continue to look into it. I'm not bothered about being able to park the car in front of the house, that's just an added bonus. I just really want to be able to get the bike out onto the road from my front garden without having to ride up and down the pavement and potentially pissing off my neighbours.

[arry]

[defblade]

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[angryjonny]

[sickpup]

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[arry]

[defblade]

[sickpup]

[BTTD]