Dropped kerbs in Durham County Council: fee, who builds it and how to apply

Everything you need to apply for a dropped kerb (vehicle crossing) with Durham County Council, from the council's own website. Last checked 3 October 2026.

Homeowner application fee£171Fee shown on Durham's page on 3 Oct 2026

Total council fees£171No other council fees published. Building it costs extra.

Who builds itCouncil's own list onlyOnly contractors on the council's own list

Decision timeNot published

Permission valid forNot published

Request a dropped kerb (Durham County Council)

Who builds dropped kerbs in County Durham?

Only contractors registered with Durham County Council can do the work. If your application succeeds, the confirmation letter includes the list of registered contractors; Durham advises getting more than one price.

How much does a dropped kerb cost in County Durham?

Homeowner application fee: £171. Licence fee, paid once you have a contractor organised and before any work starts. If your application is unsuccessful, no fee is charged.

Total council fees: £171 (construction not included).

Building it: County Durham doesn't publish a typical construction price. Councils that do publish prices quote roughly £1,000 to £3,500 for a standard crossing.

Estimate your total for County Durham with the calculator

Contractor requirements in County Durham

Must be registered with Durham County Council
Gives at least seven days' notice so the council can issue a street works permit (no charge)
Checks street lighting and utility apparatus, and follows the work specification in your licence

How to check street works cards and insurance before you hire: our guide to dropped kerb contractors.

How to apply in County Durham

Get planning advice first if the access is onto a classified (A, B or C) road, or if you're using tarmac, concrete or resin-bound surfacing for the driveway.
Request a dropped kerb online.
Durham checks the location is suitable for vehicle access.
If successful, you get a confirmation letter with the list of registered contractors.
Once you've chosen a contractor, pay the £171 licence fee before work starts; the contractor gives seven days' notice for a free street works permit.

How long it takes

Your contractor must give at least seven days' notice before starting work.

Good to know

Ramps in the road to reach your drive are illegal.
The same licence process applies to extending an existing crossing.

Ready to apply in County Durham?

Check your property qualifies and have everything ready, then apply on the council's own website.

Request a dropped kerb (Durham County Council) Eligibility checker Printable checklist

Nearby councils

Northumberland County Council: Not published, council or your contractor
North Yorkshire Council: £310.20 total council fees, council's own list only
Newcastle City Council: No application fee published, council builds

Other neighbouring councils we haven't checked yet (links to each council's dropped kerb page where we could find one): Hartlepool, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Westmorland and Furness, Sunderland (council website (dropped kerb page not yet checked)), Gateshead (council website (dropped kerb page not yet checked)).

Dropped kerb guides

Dropped kerb cost
Council fees compared, plus a cost calculator How to apply, step by step
Documents, timescales and refusals Do you need planning permission?
A quick decision flow for England Rules and sizes
Depth, junctions, trees and width

Sources (official, checked 3 October 2026)