Cutting into a public path

pwoody83 · 23 Sep 2014

My driveway is wide enough to fit 2 cars, my problem is that one side starts to rise too early causing my partners car to bottom out on the apex where the drive meets the path.

It's caused by the dropped curb which ideally needed another flat curb stone before the tapered curb as the path starts to slope back to normal level too quickly. I am looking to do a quick fix job to see us through to next spring/summer when we'll have the money and weather to re-do the whole drive.

My question is am I allowed to cut into the path slightly?

As chopping the top off of this apex, at the moment, seems the obvious but probably not right way to go.

Moved into house a short time ago, and have document to show payment of a dropped curb to council.

HERTS P&D · 23 Sep 2014

In a word.........................NO!

Andy

xdave · 23 Sep 2014

The only time you would be able to cut into a public footpath without permission (and insurance) would be to repair damage if the footpath collapsed onto your land, for example after excavating for a new driveway or wall, and you must make good immediately. Lowering a section would not be allowed. If it is a minor change to the dropped kerb and would not impact on visibility entering or leaving your driveway then the council/highways are likely to approve of a change, but through the normal channels. Get it done next year when you redo your drive. In the mean time can you raise your drive slightly to compensate for the apex?

Bouba · 23 Sep 2014

If you are able to do it quickly without noticing the effect go ahead. It is not like anyone would notice.

Hugh Jaleak · 24 Sep 2014

DIY this at your peril. If the powers that be notice, expect them to come at you all guns blazing, and possibly land you with a large bill for their costs to redo that section of pavement.

freddiemercurystwin · 24 Sep 2014

Bouba said:
If you are able to do it quickly without noticing the effect go ahead. It is not like anyone would notice.

Dreadful advice.

Bouba · 25 Sep 2014

Without offence freddy how many people up and down the country have faced similar problem, and done it. Round my end pikes lowered the kerb for a householder for £200 and council didnt even noticed. They wanted £1200 or so i think for the job.

freddiemercurystwin · 25 Sep 2014

Yes well they are lucky, LA's do not generally take kindly to homeowners messing with the public highway and to advise to just get on with is not good advice.

Hugh Jaleak · 25 Sep 2014

Whilst I also appreciate you may not be planning to dig very deeply into the pavement, anyone else who may be tempted to 'have a go', it is not unknown for BT and/or Virgin cables to have been laid at an extremely shallow depth. In the case of their fibre optic cables, hit one of those and you'll be making yourself bankrupt to escape the bill for the damage....

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Cutting into a public path

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