talkmagic.co.uk

I called the council recently to enquire about dropping the kerb outside my house. They want £1,300 which I thought was a bit pricey (but it is for a double driveway). Yesterday I had a knock on the door; it was a chap from Murphy's who asked if I wanted my kerb dropped as a "job on the side" for him. He wanted £500.

Obviously, although it's a good price, I'm not tempted to go with this guy. I don't want the council turning up in a few months time, demanding I pay them to have their kerb put right again.

What has everyone else paid to have their kerb dropped? £1,300 sounds like a rip off to me.

If they're anything like our council, you'll put their nose out of joint if you go private, and they'll misuse the law to punish you. Probably something about "Health and Safety", no doubt

It's all the rage around here. They've recently imposed a banning order on salvaging teddy bears from the tip and setting them up in a tree to wave at visiting children - on the grounds that it's distracting to drivers! And yet, there's a nearby scarecrow festival in a village on a fast road that is overwhelmingly distracting. This is a clear misuse of the law. Illegal, probably.

My God, I'm turning into Angry of Mayfair! When did this happen, and why is music too loud these days?

Murphy's is a reputable and national company, they'd probably make a much better job of it than the council. Couldn't you write and tell the council that you have an independent quote of £500 and apply for permission? Or, if this was a "job on the side" and wasn't going through Murphy's books, you could have it done and deny all knowledge, telling the council you thought they'd just kindly decided to do it for free. They have no proof of either you or Murphys being involved... that'd really annoy them And it'd be far more expensive for them to pursue the matter than it would to just leave it, after all, it's cost them nothing either.

If ever I was drawn to use "the worst word of all", I would reserve it for describing city councils. The way they fritter away our money* on ridiculous, wasteful, shortsighted schemes is a total disgrace. The dilemma is that in order to change it, we need people with an ounce of common sense to get themselves in there - unfortunately, no person who meets that description ever would.


*I say "our money"... being a student who doesn't pay tax...! But I will, one day...

The problem is that the local authority CAN make you return the kerb to the original state if you don't have permission.

You could have it done privately and then apply for retrospective permission but you're taking a big chance.

Having it done privately may result in a sub standard job that could cost you just as much again to put right. reading the link below you have to have the work done by an approved contractor who needs a permit.

Here's a link that may help.

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/kerbdropping

Find out if they're going to do ground works in your area in the near future, (lay cables etc etc) it's possible you can get your curb dropped for about £80 per stone if that's the case. On the basis that they'll be taking up the curb stones anyway and its no different to them which ones they have to put back.

I'd always ask permission though I don't think there are laws on who you can use just the work will probably have to be checked by some coucil official.

£1300 is definetly steep though even by southern standards

Read the link above - there ARE rules as to who you can use.

Fair enough, with the recent spates of lick rolls I don't click on the links

the only time I've had to deal with it before is on housing projects when I've built them (as in large scale housing developments) where our contractors did the work but to certain standards etc it's probable they used pre approved ground workers though (almost definate if only certain contractors can be used)

The advice on checking other ground works in the area is because they the council were doing it near a friends they dropped letters through asking the residents if they wanted to take advantage of the situation.

I suppose that what Farlsborough wrote earlier about councils using loop holes to fill their coffers at the expense of the general public is always worthy of consideration.

Everyone is now guilty until proved innocent these days in the eyes of officialdom.

some councils have been known to charge new house owners up to 4 grand for a dropped curb they already have.
so best advice is to find out what companys you can use and also wether the councill will make a charge to you for the privilage of having one.

Thanks everyone, especially dat for the link. If I can get the council's permission to get the kerb dropped for £500, then obviously I will. I just wasn't aware that I could get the job done independently of the council.

Bung someone from the Council £500 to do it!!! (Joke)