Families' call to curb illegal dropped kerbs

CASH-STRAPPED COUNCIL MAY HAVE LOST MILLIONS AS COWBOYS MUSCLE IN

- HARRY LEACH

BIRMINGHAM City Council may have lost out on millions of pounds after years of failing to stop rogue traders installing illegal dropped kerbs, frustrated Small Heath residents have claimed.

Families say the authority and West Midlands Police has failed to curb the kerb issue which has plagued city streets for years.

Last week the Birmingham Mail was alerted to alleged cowboy contractors installing an illegal dropped kerb in Burlington Road, and the council, on its knees financially, admitted the problem was putting the public at risk, with botched jobs damaging roads and pavements.

Dropped kerbs are increasingly popular in mainly inner-city areas where on-street parking is scarce.

Residents who want a dropped kerb at their home can only use Birmingham City Council authorised contractors and approved suppliers to carry out the work after a site survey.

Each application is priced individually based on measurements and work involved in the construction.

But cowboys are muscling in, typically undercutting the council to win the work, which many residents want for direct access to their driveway.