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These procedures ensure that the safety of other road users and pedestrians is not compromised, and that damage is not caused to the road, footway or the utility apparatus underneath.

Vehicle access onto the road (highway) 
A proposal for a new access will need to satisfy both planning and highway requirements before it can proceed. The following steps should guide you through the necessary procedures. 

Step one 
If you live on a classified (A, B or C) road, you will need planning permission for a new access to your property.
Planning permission is not usually required if the access is onto an unclassified (minor) road. It may still be needed if the access forms part of more extensive works or is in a conservation area.
You should seek advice from your local planning office before proceeding. If they say that planning permission is not required, make sure you have that decision in writing. 
To make a planning application, you will need to produce plans of your proposals and pay a fee to the relevant district or borough council. 

Step two 
Once you have planning permission for the proposed access or, where appropriate, a letter stating it is not needed, you should either download the Access Pack below or call our Contact Centre on 08456 058 058 to request an application form and information pack.
This should be completed and returned, with the requested documents, to the Director of Environmental Services, County Hall, Matlock, DE4 3AG. 
You can find other ways of contacting Call Derbyshire in the Contact Us section of this website.

Your questions answered

1. Can a request for a vehicle crossing be refused?
   If planning permission has been granted for an access, then we (as the highway authority) will not refuse a request for the access.
   If planning permission is not required for the access then it is rare for a request to be refused. However, if we believe your proposal puts other road users at risk or seriously interferes with the free flow of traffic on a busy road, then it may be turned down. 

2. Can I get my own contractor to construct a vehicle crossing?
   Yes, we do allow private contractors to construct vehicular accesses. However, we have a responsibility to manage all work on the local highway network and require contractors to have certain personnel to be qualified under the New Roads and Street Works Act accreditation scheme.
   The contractor should also carry public liability insurance to a minimum of £5 million.
   It is in your interests to ensure that any contractor working for you conforms to these minimum standards as the cost of claims through accidents or utility apparatus damage can be very high and will be passed on to you for settlement. 
   If the works are undertaken by a private contractor then these works must be guaranteed for two years. 
   Alternatively you can ask the us to undertake the work in which case we bear all the risks.

3. Can the county council construct my new drive or hardstanding?
   No, we can only undertake work within the highway.
   You will either have to construct the drive or hardstanding yourself or employ a private contractor. 

4. Can an unauthorised vehicle crossing be closed?
   Yes, we have authority to take action to prevent use of unauthorised crossings. 

5. Is there a charge for a vehicular crossing application?
   No.

6. Is there a time limit to complete the crossing?
   Works should be completed within three months of approval.
   Once the works start, they should be completed as quickly as possible, normally within three days. 

7. Who maintains the vehicular access in future? 
   Provided that the access is constructed in accordance with the specification and has been correctly maintained by the contractor, the access becomes part of the highway and is then maintained by us. 
   If we believe that the works have been undertaken incorrectly, we will make investigations, which may include drill holes, and recharge the cost of these if the work is found to be faulty.

Next step 
If you would like to apply for a vehicle crossing, please contact Call Derbyshire on 08 456 058 05. State the location of the access and whether you need an access to a private house or a commercial premises.  Alternatively you can print out the document in the more information section of this page, complete by hand and return by post.

If you wish to make a payment in association with a vehicular access invoice please visit our secure payment site (opens in a new window).