Do the council have to provide access for me to my property?

I can only gain access to my property by walking on to my neighbours drive. I would like to install dropped kerbs (I think thats what they're called) to allow me to drive onto my drive without going onto my neighbours. A friend believes the council have a duty to provide access to my property without me having to go onto my neighbours property. I would be grateful for any information. Can I require the council to carry out the work free of charge? Thanks in anticipation.