Dropped kerbs for vehicle access

If the proposed position of a crossing is obstructed by a road sign, lighting column, road hump or tree etc., the location should be altered to avoid the obstacle. If this is not feasible, a decision will have to be made by the relevant section within the Council, or other agency as appropriate, as to whether the item should be removed or relocated, although there may be limited scope to do so. Where relocation or removal is agreed, the costs of any such work will be the responsibility of the applicant.

The following conditions apply:

Street trees

Crossings will not normally be allowed where their construction will require either the removal or cutting of the roots of a street tree. In all cases, permission to proceed will be required from the Council's arboriculture team. The general presumption will be to refuse an application if there is a conflict with a street tree. However, where permission is granted, the cost of the tree removal and the replacement(s), including initial maintenance, will be charged to the applicant.

Lighting columns

Where a crossing needs a street light to be moved permission will be needed from our PFI lighting contractor. Where relocation is approved, all associated costs shall be paid for by the applicant.

Road humps

Where an applicant requests a new crossing in circumstances where an existing road hump or similar feature is judged to create an unacceptable hazard or hindrance to the operation of the crossing, the application will not be approved until the traffic calming feature has either been relocated or altered in profile by the Council so as to satisfactorily reduce the hazard or hindrance, subject to full reimbursement of costs by the applicant. The relocation of such a feature is subject to review by the Council's road safety engineer.
Where a traffic calming feature is to be relocated, approval is subject to the satisfactory outcome of the formal consultation and legal process which is required to be completed before the application can be determined.

Statutory undertakers' apparatus

Work may be needed to remove, divert or lower statutory undertakers' plant or apparatus, such as telephone boxes, telegraph poles or chamber covers. All costs involved in such works will be paid for by the applicant.

On-street parking controls

We may refuse crossing requests where the resulting loss of public on-street parking would adversely affect the operation of a parking scheme or may result in a lack of adequate on-street parking. In particular, crossings should not be permitted where they would result in the loss of more than one space in a residents' parking scheme.

Where approved, a crossing that affects a designated on-street parking bay or other restriction may require changes to the traffic regulation order (TRO). The cost of altering the TRO and any traffic signs and road markings should be met by the applicant. To reduce the cost to the applicant associated with amending a TRO, the Council will wait until a number of amendments are required to the order before starting the legal process. The legal process should be completed before construction of the new crossing begins

Grass verges

Where an application for a crossing is proposed across an area of highway verge or grassed amenity area that is greater than 3 metres in width there will be a presumption that it will be refused because of the loss of green space and the adverse effect this can have on the appearance of the street. However, if within 30m there is/are established crossing(s) greater than 3 metres then there will be a presumption to approve. In these cases, a precedent has already been established and amenity value has been historically relaxed.

A further relaxation may be considered where an applicant requires access for electric vehicle charging and is prepared to pay the cost differential for the installation of a grass-grid type material which will recreate the green space appearance of the crossing area.

Drainage

The applicant must provide suitable drainage to prevent surface water discharging onto the highway prior to the construction of the crossing. Enforcement of this requirement is possible under s163 of the Highways Act 1980. Applicants will need to provide evidence that surface water drains are connected to either a drainage system or a properly constructed soakaway.

Preference is for use of sustainable drainage systems within the applicant's property. Read the guidance relating to soakaways.

Where the private driveway is over 5m2 and of impermeable surfacing planning permission is required, in order to prevent rainwater from running off directly onto roads, as this can contribute to flooding.