Updated July 2026
In short
Yes. Work on the public highway must be done by a contractor registered with the council, using street-works-qualified (NRSWA / SWQR) operatives. DIY or an unregistered installer won’t be approved or signed off.
Can you save money by dropping the kerb yourself, or getting a general builder to do it? In a word — no, and here’s why that matters.
It’s the law, not just red tape
The pavement is public highway. Any work on it has to be carried out by a contractor registered with the highway authority, working to their specification, using operatives who hold NRSWA / SWQR street-works qualifications. This isn’t optional — it’s set out in highways and street-works legislation.
What happens if you don’t
- The council won’t sign the work off, so you don’t have a legal crossing.
- You can face enforcement and be told to reinstate the kerb at your own expense.
- Badly-built crossings sink and crack because the sub-base isn’t to spec.
What a registered contractor gives you
- The correct sub-base and kerb type, so it lasts and passes inspection.
- Proper traffic management and safety measures while working on the road.
- The paperwork trail that proves the crossing is legal when you come to sell.
We handle the lot
We’re a council-registered contractor working with SWQR-qualified installers across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and we manage the whole job — application included. Get a free quote.
Want it sorted properly?
We install council-approved dropped kerbs across Nottingham & Nottinghamshire — and handle the whole Section 184 application for you.
Get a free quote