A dropped kerb — or vehicle crossing, to use the council's terminology — is the legal permission to drive a vehicle across the public footpath and kerb line onto your property. In Bray and the wider Wicklow County Council area, you cannot simply lower the kerb yourself or ask a contractor to do it without prior approval. Doing so is an offence, and the council can require you to reinstate the original kerb at your own expense.
This guide covers how to apply to Wicklow County Council for a vehicle crossing licence, what it costs, and why you need a NRSWA-certified contractor to carry out the physical works.
How to apply to Wicklow County Council for a vehicle crossing
Applications for a vehicle crossing (dropped kerb) in the Wicklow County Council area are made to the Roads Section. You will need to submit a completed application form, a site location map, a drawing showing the proposed crossing dimensions, and the application fee — currently in the region of €200–€400 depending on the road classification.
The council will assess whether the crossing is safe — checking sight lines, proximity to junctions, the width of the footpath, and whether the road surface can accommodate a crossing at that point. Approval typically takes 4–8 weeks. On busier roads or national routes, the process may involve Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and take longer.
Once approved, the licence sets out the exact specification for the works: the crossing width, kerb type, footpath reinstatement standard and any traffic management requirements. The works must be carried out to this specification by an approved contractor.
Typical costs: contractor fees vs. council fees
The council application fee covers the licence only — it does not include the physical works. Typical costs in the Bray area for a standard residential vehicle crossing are:
- Council application fee: €200–€400
- Contractor works (kerb lowering, footpath reinstatement, dropped kerb slab): €800–€1,800 depending on crossing width and footpath construction
- Traffic management (if required on a busier road): €300–€600 per day
- Total typical cost for a standard residential crossing: €1,200–€2,500
Why you need a NRSWA-certified contractor
Works on the public highway — which includes the footpath and kerb line — must be carried out by a contractor holding a New Roads and Street Works Act (NRSWA) licence. This is a legal requirement, not a preference. A contractor without NRSWA certification cannot legally open the public footpath, and any works they carry out are unlicensed.
In practice, this means you should ask any contractor quoting for a dropped kerb to confirm their NRSWA registration number before work begins. Reputable driveway contractors in the Bray area hold this certification as a matter of course; those who do not will typically suggest you 'sort the council bit yourself' — which is a warning sign.
The NRSWA requirement also covers the footpath reinstatement standard. The council will inspect the completed works, and if the reinstatement does not meet the specification, the contractor must return to rectify it. A certified contractor carries the liability for this; an uncertified one does not.