AN engineer has been told to pay hundreds of pounds to get the the kerb dropped outside his home despite driving into his driveway for more than a decade.

Ash Poulton, of Tarbert Crescent, Blackburn, was sent a letter from Blackburn with Darwen Council telling him it was against the law to mount the pavement and the only way he could access his drive legally would be to pay for the work.

Mr Poulton, 52, who has lived with his wife, Lorraine, 48, at the house for 11 years, said eight other residents on their narrow street were also sent the same letter.

The residents said because the street is narrow there is no room to park without mounting the pavement.

Mr Poulton said: “It has come completely out of the blue.

“I have had a vehicle parked on my drive since I bought the house. I had a caravan on there for three years.

“I cannot afford to pay the prices I’ve been told, I don’t have that much excess wages.

“Everyone is wondering why it’s all come out now? We’ve all been here for years and driven over the path to the drive for years.

“It feels like the council just wants to make money.”

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said the work could cost between £900 and £1,200.

Driving onto pavement without a proper crossing is an offence under Section 184 of the Highways Act 1980.

In the letter the council told Mr Poulton it would carry out the work and invoice him if he did not respond.

Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration at the council, said: “Driving over pavements or parking with two wheels on can lead to damage to the path.

“They are not built to support the weight of a vehicle. It can also lead to trip hazards as the surface becomes uneven.

“Large numbers of residents comply with the law and it is not fair on them if the council then allows other residents to break the law on a regular basis.

“Letters are being issued where complaints have been received and we would hope that these letters will prompt individual residents to take the necessary corrective action."