Vehicle Crossings

Where a property has no vehicular access from the road, the resident may make an application to the Council for this work to be carried out.
It is illegal to cross the footway without a certified vehicle crossing, this is because the footway is not designed to take the weight of a vehicle constantly crossing it and it could result in the surface breaking up causing trip hazards for pedestrians.

Click on this link to view answers to some frequently asked questions concerning vehicle crossings Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a guide to the procedures for gaining a vehicle access, allowing you to cross a pedestrian footpath in order to Park your vehicle off the highway.

With increased problems of parking, many residents now wish to park their vehicles off the highway and within their own property. Milton Keynes Council encourage residents to do this as long as certain criteria are met. For the Council to allow you to have a vehicle crossing to park on your property the following requirements must be met:

1. You are required to construct a vehicle crossing to allow you to cross over the pavement.

2. The construction of the vehicle crossing must be approved by Milton Keynes Council Highways Department:

email envservices@milton-keynes.gov.uk,

Telephone Environmental Services 01908 252353

or complete and return this Form

The Councils Highways Department will need to visit the site and determine whether it is feasible to construct a crossing (a pack will then be sent out informing you of what to do next – see below) without adversely affecting the surrounding properties or creating a potential safety hazard for other highways users (Refusal to grant permission may be for a number of reasons but consultation will take place with any other departments within Milton Keynes Council who are affected and following a decision the applicant will be notified in writing) .

3. The construction of the hard standing within your property must provide at least as many parking spaces as will be taken up on the street by the vehicle crossing.

4. There must be an area of at least 5.0m x 2.5m available for parking off the Public Highway.

5. Milton Keynes Council does not normally allow secondary crossings into a property where the property is already served by an existing crossing.

6. Milton Keynes Council's Planning Department (01908 252358) must be consulted, and planning permission obtained if required, for any works to be undertaken within the boundary of the property to be served by the footway crossing. Additionally if the property fronts on to a ‘classified’ road planning permission MUST be sought.

7. If the property is Council owned, then Milton Keynes Council’s Housing Department must be consulted. Contact Milton Keynes Council Neighbourhood Services Tel: (01908) 691691.

8. Gradients for both footways and the vehicle crossing have been set out to avoid injury to pedestrians and to avoid any damage occurring to vehicles using the crossing. These gradients should not be exceeded and are:
Footpath 1 in 12
Crossing 1 in 14


NOTE :
If you park on your property without permission or have not satisfied these criteria the Council has powers to either construct a crossing at your expense or carry out works to restrict your access.

There are two options to construct the vehicle crossing:


Council Contractor
In order to assist residents the council provides the service to construct the crossing for you at your expense. Council employees will measure, mark and construct the crossing to specification. This quotation is free of charge and work will be issued to our contractor who then has between 4-6 weeks from that date to complete the work. For details please telephone (01908) 252592 or email envservices@milton-keynes.gov.uk.


Private Contractor
A private contractor is able to construct a footway crossing provided Milton Keynes Council has assurance in writing before work starts that the property owner and the contractor will comply with conditions outlined below:



1. An application form for a licence to construct a vehicle crossing in the public highway MUST be completed (Section B – in the information pack available from the council) and approval given before any works commence. You can request an information pack by contacting the Environmental Services Helpline on 01908 252353 or email envservices@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
The application should be completed by your nominated contractor and returned, with a fee of £70.00 to The Highways Officer, Milton Keynes Council Highways, Synergy Park, Chesney Wold, Bleak Hall, MK6 1LY. Cheques should be made payable to 'Milton Keynes Council'.

2. The specification for materials and workmanship is to be in accordance with the standard drawing Vehicular Crossing Detail with the documentation sent out following the initial application.

3. The contractor must be certified by an approved body (New Roads and Streetworks Act) as competent to undertake such works. A copy of this certification must be sent with the licence.

4. Provide and maintain such traffic signs, lamps, barriers etc., as required in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual issued by the Department of Transport.

5. Any maintenance required to the works during a period of one year from the date of completion will be carried out at your expense.

6. The nominated contractor must have a minimum of £5,000,000 public liability insurance . A copy of this must be sent with the licence.

7. The Public Utilities must be consulted before work commences as to the location of their services.

8. The works are only to be carried out during normal working hours.

9. The works must match existing footway crossings currently installed in the road. If a number of different types exist, please consult Milton Keynes Council's Highways Division via the Environmental Services Helpdesk number (01908 252592).

10. The works must be completed to the satisfaction of the Head of Highways. Inspections will be carried out during construction and after completion.

Note
Vehicular Crossing Detail The standard detail drawing shows the type of crossings that can be constructed and the materials to be used. If any alternative materials are to be used then a full specification and details of the manufacturer will be required.