First successful prosecution for unauthorised dropped kerb crossing 

Brighton & Hove City Council has made its first successful prosecution for an unauthorised dropped kerb crossing. 

The case against Jason Bennett and CCE Sussex Limited was heard at Brighton Magistrates Court on 1 May 2019. They faced five charges of making unauthorised dropped kerb crossings in Reading Road, Brighton contrary to the Highways Act 1980. 

The prosecution came after council officials examined the five crossings and found that they were of sub-standard construction and had been created without the necessary permissions.

Mr Bennett, a former director of CCE Sussex Limited, pleaded guilty to all the charges in his absence relating to the unauthorised highway works. CCE Sussex Limited of Horstead Keynes was also convicted in their absence. They were each ordered to pay a fine of £1000 for each of the five offences, together with £600.00 costs and £100.00 Victim Surcharge. 

In addition, they were each ordered to pay £4301.52 of compensation to the council to cover the costs of correctly constructing the vehicle crossings. 

Each defendant has 14 days in which to pay a total of £10,001.52 fines, costs and compensation.

Anyone can apply for a licence to build a vehicle crossover (dropped kerb) for access to their property but must meet the relevant criteria and safety standards.