Do I need council permission for a dropped kerb in Cheltenham?

Yes, dropped kerbs onto a public road need council approval, and a contractor experienced in this work can usually advise on or handle that application.

Can drainage be added to an existing driveway without digging it all up?

Sometimes a channel drain can be cut into the edge of an existing surface, but a soakaway or full drainage redesign usually needs more extensive digging.

Who installs the drainage, the paving contractor or a separate groundworks firm?

It varies. Some paving contractors handle both, others bring in a kerbing and groundworks specialist for drainage and kerb work specifically.

Driveway drainage and dropped kerb installation

A new or resurfaced driveway is only as good as what happens to the water that lands on it. Dropped kerbs (needed for legal vehicle access from the road), channel drains, and soakaways are groundworks jobs that sit alongside driveway paving but are their own trade, often requiring council permission for the dropped kerb itself.

This is a bundle job in Cheltenham: driveway paving contractors frequently need a kerbing and groundworks specialist to install the dropped kerb, drainage channels and edging as part of the same overall project, whether that is a new driveway from scratch or bringing an existing one up to current drainage standards.

Dropped kerb installation for new vehicle access points
Channel or slot drains across driveway entrances
Soakaways where surface water cannot go to the public sewer
Edging and kerb lines that define the driveway boundary

If you are planning a new driveway, ask early whether a dropped kerb needs council sign-off, since that process can take longer than the paving work itself.

What it costs

Dropped kerb work involves an application to the local council as well as the physical groundworks, so costs cover both the permission process and the labour to break out the existing kerb and reset it. Drainage installation (channel drains, soakaways) is priced by length and depth of excavation and whether it connects to an existing system or needs a new soakaway dug.

Top 3 by our score

Ranked from our published scoring of public Google reviews for kerbing & groundworks.

1. BJ Surfacing
4.8★ · 148 reviews

88
2. Grass Scape
4.9★ · 35 reviews

84
3. B E Rudman
4.9★ · 32 reviews

79

FAQ

Do I need council permission for a dropped kerb in Cheltenham?: Yes, dropped kerbs onto a public road need council approval, and a contractor experienced in this work can usually advise on or handle that application.
Can drainage be added to an existing driveway without digging it all up?: Sometimes a channel drain can be cut into the edge of an existing surface, but a soakaway or full drainage redesign usually needs more extensive digging.
Who installs the drainage, the paving contractor or a separate groundworks firm?: It varies. Some paving contractors handle both, others bring in a kerbing and groundworks specialist for drainage and kerb work specifically.

Enquiries submitted through our forms may be shared with partner providers who can complete the work, and we may receive a referral fee. Our rankings and scores are based solely on our published method and are not influenced by referral fees.