B4.3.2 Designing for inclusive access

Applicants must design streets and open spaces to ensure clear, accessible, and safe environments for elderly individuals and people with disabilities, including those with visual, hearing, or other impairments. All pedestrian facilities must be designed in accordance with Inclusive Mobility. A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure (Department for Transport). Additionally, developers must have due regard to the Equality Act 2010.

Pedestrian surfaces must be smooth, firm, and even to ensure they are accessible and comfortable for all users, particularly disabled people. Uneven, loose, or excessively textured surfaces must not be used as they can pose significant hazards to individuals using mobility aids such as wheelchairs, walking frames, or sticks, and can be disorienting or unsafe for those with visual impairments.

Dropped kerbs must be provided at all side-road junctions where the footway and carriageway are at different levels to ensure accessible crossings. Tactile paving must be installed in accordance with national guidance (specifically Inclusive Mobility A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure (Department for Transport) to support blind and partially sighted people in navigating these crossing points safely.

Any external route with a gradient of 1:20 or steeper is classified as a ramp and must be designed accordingly. External pedestrian ramps must:

• not exceed a gradient of 1:12 (8.3%) - where this maximum gradient is used, the ramp must not exceed 2 metres in length, whilst shallower gradients (such as 1:15 or 1:20) are preferable and allow for longer ramp runs

• have a minimum clear width of 1.5 metres - where two wheelchair users are expected to pass, this must be increased to 1.8 metres

• not exceed the maximum allowable ramp length or rise between landings, which varies depending on the gradient:

  • for 1:20 maximum length is 10 metres and maximum rise is 0.5 metres

  • for 1:15 maximum length is 5 metres

• include level landings (maximum gradient 1:50) at the top and bottom, and at intermediate rest points where required - each landing must be a minimum of 1.2 metres in length and the full width of the ramp

• provide a minimum 0.1 metre high upstand or kerb must be provided along the edges of the ramp to prevent wheelchairs or mobility aids from leaving the surface

• be fitted with continuous handrails on both sides where the rise exceeds 0.3 metres or the gradient falls between 1:12 and 1:20 - where the ramp has a clear width of 2 metres or more, an additional central handrail must be provided, ensuring a minimum 1 metre clear width between handrails

• ensure that handrails project 0.3 metres past the top and bottom of the ramp, are turned down at the end, are positioned at a height of 0.9 to 1 metre and are profiled to ensure a good grip (40 to 45mm minimum)

• ensure that ramp surfaces are slip-resistant in all weather conditions

• provide tactile warning surfaces at the top and bottom of the ramp to alert visually impaired users to the change in level

Any external route that is 1:20 or steeper will be classed as a ramp. External pedestrian ramps should:

• be designed with a preferred gradient of 1:20 (5%) to maximise accessibility and ease of use for all users

• avoid abrupt changes in gradient, using smooth and gradual transitions between ramp sections, landings, and adjacent surfaces

• provide a maximum crossfall of 1:50, with 1:100 preferred, to minimise the risk of tipping or discomfort for wheelchair users and those with mobility impairments

• have a minimum clear width of 2 metres, allowing comfortable passing space for wheelchair users and other pedestrians

• avoid stepped ramps where possible

The design and inclusion of street furniture and surfaces must take into account the needs a variety of users (for example, seat back for older users, reduction in contrasting paving for people with dementia).

Street furniture should be thoughtfully designed and provided at a level that meets the functional and amenity needs of all users, whilst avoiding unnecessary visual or physical clutter. Items should contribute positively to the accessibility, safety, and character of the public realm. The following principles should guide the design and placement of street furniture:

• select high-quality, robust materials that complement the local character and require minimal maintenance

• where appropriate, consider dual-purpose furniture (such as integrated lighting with signage, cctv) to maximise function without overloading the streetscape

• design and locate furniture to be usable by all, including disabled people, older adults, and those with visual impairments - avoid creating trip hazards or pinch points

• position street furniture consistently and logically in a ‘furniture zone’, aligning lighting columns, tree pits, and utilities to create a unified and orderly streetscape

• ensure clear, continuous routes for pedestrians and cyclists are maintained, avoiding obstruction from furniture, signage, or other fixed objects

Street furniture must be positioned to support amenity and functionality without obstructing pedestrian, wheeling or cycle movement. A clear zone for movement must be maintained at all times depending on the context of the site:

• Highly Urban Area Type (80+ dph): Maintain a minimum 3 metre clear zone

• Urban Area Type (50+ dph): Maintain a 2 to 3 metre clear zone depending on the level of activity

• Suburban Area Type (40+ dph): Maintain a 2 to 2.6 metre clear zone depending on pedestrian activity

• Outer Suburbs and Villages Area Type (30+ dph): Maintain a 2 metre clear zone