Licensed Dropped Kerb Contractors 

ETM Contractors are licensed contractors for dropped kerb works in Bristol and across the South West, with the required accreditation and liability insurance.

We carry out dropped kerb works in Bristol, South Gloucester, and North Somerset, in accordance with The Highways Act 1980.Dropped kerbs, also known as dropped crossings, are sections of public pavement dropped to allow vehicle access to private driveways.

Dropped Kerbs South Gloucester/North Somerset

If you are interested in getting a dropped kerb on your property, you must check with the relevant local authorities. Contractors carrying out dropped kerb works must be licensed for the work with appropriate accreditation and insurance.

South Gloucester properties should contact South Gloucester Council and review the relevant planning permission material here.

North Somerset properties should contact North Somerset Council and review the relevant material here and apply for dropped kerbs here.

Dropped Kerbs Bristol

To get a dropped kerb on your Bristol property, you need to enquire through Bristol City Council for planning permission in various scenarios.

Planning permission is required in certain instances, such as if your property it on a ‘classified road’, i.e. a main thoroughfare, bus route or near a hospital. Find out planning permission requirements for dropped kerbs in Bristol here.

Dropped Kerb Contractor Quote

Once you have established with local authorities you can proceed with a dropped kerb, and you can apply for a quote with licensed dropped kerb contractors.

To apply for a free quote, submit a full ‘dropped kerb quote’ form, complete with a photo of the footpath and a simple drawing.

Get a Quote

Dropped Kerbs – Important Information

  1. As a rule a single dropped kerb is 3 x lower kerbs/1 x left hand/1 x right hand transition (slanted) kerb.
  2. A double dropped kerb is 5 x lower kerbs/1 x left hand/1 x right hand transition kerb.
  3. Dimensions of the “Internal Works” (Driveway) must be at least 4.8m x 2.4m (↨ end to end parking, driving straight onto the driveway) or 6m x 3m (↔ parallel parking to the footway).
  4. Quotes are free and take 14/21 days.
  5. Quotes are valid for 3 months.
  6. If you live in Bristol on acceptance of a quote, ETM will on your behalf apply for an excavation licence from Bristol City Council. This takes up to 28 days.
  7. The excavation licence costs £307 and is payable on acceptance of the quote, this charge is non-refundable.  An inspector from Bristol City Council will visit your property.
  8. ETM apply to the utility suppliers to your property for an Ordnance Survey Map – this is the check whether there are pipes/cables under the footpath that the contractor needs to know about before excavating the footpath. This takes up to 28 days.
  9. Full payment (inc. VAT) will be required before any works commence, an invoice will be raised.
  10. If you live in Bristol before any work can commence the site must be clear of all obstructions and the ‘Internal Works’ (driveway) must be completed.
  11. If you live in South Gloucestershire or North Somerset ETM will require a colour copy of the permission and plans before any works can commence and the site must be clear of all obstructions and unless specifically quoted for any walls, fences, hedges must be removed including all footings and roots.
  12. You can pay be cash/cheque/credit or debit card (please note there is a small fee of 2% charged on credit card payments to cover the cost of card processing).
  13. For credit/debit card payments ETM will call you direct from a dedicated payment line.
  14. The actual build takes 3 – 5 days
  15. All quotes are to the specification of the relevant council.
  16. The construction of a dropped kerb remains part of the public highway and does not give the resident any legal right of ownership to the land or license to police that crossing in any way. However, a dropped kerb does provide full acceptable rights to drive across the footway/highway land to gain access to your property.
  17. All dropped kerbs are guaranteed for 12 months, after that the maintenance is the responsibility of your local council.

Other Services

Civil Engineering

Trusted civil engineering services for local authorities.

Find Out More

Traffic Management

Effective traffic management ensuring carriageway safety.

Find Out More

White Lining

Specialist white lining contractors for road markings.

Find Out More

Gully Sucking

Expert removal of debris, wastewater and mud.

Find Out More

Fibre Optics Installation

Professional fibre optics groundworks and services.

Find Out More

Authorised Testing Facility

Authorised testing of heavy goods vehicles.

Find Out More

Machine Hire

Grab lorry, sweeper, and asphalt planer hire.

Find Out More