Dropped kerbs and vehicle crossings in Essex
Looking for dropped kerbs in Essex? Start with a guide price, then a survey that turns it into a fixed, written specification.
How much does a dropped kerb cost in Essex?
Rates in Essex follow the East of England, about 5% above our UK midpoint.
| Item | Guide price (inc VAT) |
|---|---|
| Dropped kerb construction where the council allows an approved contractor | £1,050–£3,150 per job |
Towns we cover in Essex
- Southend-on-Sea
- Basildon
- Colchester
- Chelmsford
- Harlow
- Grays
- Braintree
- Brentwood
- Clacton-on-Sea
- South Benfleet
- Canvey Island
- Billericay
- Loughton
- Rayleigh
- Stanford-le-Hope
- Wickford
- Witham
- Pitsea
- Maldon
- Waltham Abbey
- South Ockendon
- Harwich
- Hadleigh
- Walton-on-the-Naze
- Frinton-on-Sea
- Rochford
- Saffron Walden
Postcode areas: CB, CM, CO, DY, EN, RM, SS.
What is included?
A dropped kerb, or vehicle crossing, is a section of pavement and kerb lowered and strengthened so a vehicle can legally cross the footway to reach a driveway. It needs the highway authority's approval before any work starts.
- Check the frontage: trees, lamp posts, covers, junctions and sight lines
- Help preparing the application and site plan
- Planning permission check for classified roads
- Construction to the council's specification where approved contractors are allowed
- Footway reinstatement in tarmac or to match
- Coordinated with the new drive so both are finished together
Rules in Essex
In England, a new hard surface over 5 m² in front of a house needs planning permission unless it is porous or drains to a lawn, border or soakaway within the property. If the job needs a dropped kerb, the highway authority (the county or unitary council) approves it before any work on the footway.
How it is built
Dropped kerbs and vehicle crossings in Essex: questions
How much does a dropped kerb cost in Essex?
As a 2026 guide, about £1,050–£3,150 per job inc VAT in Essex. The survey confirms a fixed price.
Which towns in Essex do you cover?
Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Colchester, Chelmsford, Harlow, Grays, Braintree, Brentwood and more.
How long does a dropped kerb take?
Approval often takes weeks; building is usually 1–2 days.
Who approves a dropped kerb?
The highway authority: the county or unitary council in England, the council in Wales and Scotland, and DfI Roads in Northern Ireland.
Other services in Essex
Get a written tarmac quote
Send a postcode and a rough size and we'll arrange a survey. Every quote lists the layers, edging, drainage and VAT.
- Surface courseDEPTH + MIX
- Binder courseDEPTH + MIX
- Sub-baseDEPTH + MATERIAL
- Edges, drainage, VATITEMISED