Context

This document aims to support inclusive design and engagement processes that deliver accessible town centre and busy street environments for everyone. It has been developed in response to concerns relating to the particular difficulties which disabled people can encounter in accessing and moving around town centre and busy street environments. It is part of the actions taken under the Accessible Travel Framework to reduce obstructions on pavements.

This guidance relates to streets in town centres and other busy streets. These are streets that serve a civic or public service function, such as shopping streets or areas where one or more public service is accessed, such as retail, hospitality, leisure and key public services. Such streets generally have a proportionately higher level of motor vehicle and cycle traffic than other areas within the neighbourhood or settlement. Because of the function that these types of streets play in supporting communities, people are likely to want to access these spaces routinely.

Busy streets are also more likely to be serviced by public transport and may connect streets with civic functions. Traffic flows have been avoided as a measure for defining a busy street area, as what is considered “busy” within a village or rural setting will differ significantly from a more densely populated urban setting.

As well as the guidance in this document, wider transport, design and place making policy should be considered, including the need to design for low traffic, low speed environments. Use of the sustainable transport hierarchy (see link below for diagram image) is necessary to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling over motor transport, while still allowing for essential car users to access busy streets.

In January 2022 latest changes were brought into the Highway Code. The Highway Code: 8 changes you need to know from 29 January 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) They include new rules around how all road users including pedestrians interact. It sets a new hierarchy and reminds all road users that the people they encounter may have impaired sight, hearing, or mobility and that this may not be obvious.

How the Guidance is set out

The guidance is structured around ten key principles required in order to support inclusive design. These principles are derived from research into inclusive design in town centres and busy street areas (see page 3) in conjunction with views and input from the working group.

The guidance is comprised of two main elements:

  • Part 1- Inclusive Engagement for Street Design incorporating principles 1 to 5.
  • Part 2 - Physical Design Measures for Inclusive Design incorporating principles 6 to 10.

There is also an annex, which provides links and information on specific issues such as the Public Sector Equality Duty(PSED), the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) process, the Scottish Government, Fairer Scotland Duty: guidance for public sector bodies with relevant legislation and street design guidance documents. A glossary of terms is included on page 26.

How the Guidance can be used

This guidance can be used to help structure, plan and design inclusive environments.

For those involved in designing or delivering street improvements or adjustments, this guidance provides information on the engagement process, equality duties and key design features to allow accessibility and navigation of busy streets. It emphasises the need for good engagement with local people and a design-led approach.

This guidance will be of interest to disabled people, disabled people’s organisations and community groups involved or interested in new or emerging street design projects in town centres and busy streets.