Dropped kerbs

We may take enforcement action if a vehicle is parked next to a dropped kerb where the level of a pedestrian footway, cycle track or verge is lowered to the level of the carriageway – that is, the part of the road used by vehicles.

Where parking is not permitted

A vehicle is blocking a dropped kerb if any part of the vehicle is over the point where the footpath meets the carriageway, as shown below by the red central area on the photo below. A vehicle is not deemed to be blocking a dropped kerb if any part of the vehicle is where the kerb slopes down towards the level of the carriageway, as shown by the white areas the photo below.

Residents with a dropped kerb in front of their property can give consent for their visitors to park across it, but only if:

• the dropped kerb provides access only to their own property, not to a shared driveway
• no other parking restrictions are active at the time
• consent is not given for reward

Enforcement action

We can take enforcement action against any vehicle owner whose vehicle blocks a dropped kerb without permission, unless one of the exceptions listed below applies.

If you find the dropped kerb in front of your property is blocked without your permission and you need access, you should first discuss it with the driver of the vehicle.

If the driver is not present or you are not able to resolve the matter with them, you can contact our Parking Enforcement team by email below.

Our Parking Enforcement Officers can issue Penalty Charge Notices, but we cannot:

• physically remove vehicles
• provide a rapid response service

Exceptions

We will not take enforcement action if a vehicle is either:

• parked wholly within a designated parking place or any other place where parking is specifically allowed
• parked outside a residential property with the freely-given consent of the property owner, where the property does not have a shared driveway
• being used for fire brigade purposes, police purposes or emergency-response ambulance purposes
• delivering goods, collecting goods, loading or unloading for no longer than is necessary, up to 20 minutes, where this cannot reasonably be done in any other way
• stopping for no longer than is necessary for passengers to get in or out, but we may take enforcement action if the vehicle is waiting for passengers

We will also take no enforcement action if the vehicle is parked for no longer than is necessary whilst being used in connection with either:

• any building operation, demolition or excavation
• the collection of waste by a local authority
• removing an obstruction to traffic
• works in relation to a road, a traffic sign or road lighting
• works in relation to a sewer or water main
• the supply of gas, electricity, water or communications services