Delivering Street and Surface Infrastructure

Streets need to accommodate a range of functions to work effectively for all their users. Good design can ensure that streets meet required functions and remain successful places. It is therefore important to work with highways and utilities throughout the design and approval process to accommodate their requirements without compromising the design.

The technical appraisal stage needs to ensure that the public realm meets appropriate standards and can be adopted by public bodies.

• Section 38 agreements cover construction of new streets
• Section 278 agreements cover works to existing streets, including creating new junctions

Where development is phased development agreements should secure access rights to each development parcel prior to adoption

Quality and safety audits should be undertaken to ensure that street designs are effective in meeting design objectives and workable in practice. Dependent on the nature and scale of the scheme this can cover visual quality, road safety, access, walking, cycling, non-motorised use, community use and quality of place. By undertaking out these audits together urban design can ensure streets are both safe and attractive.

Consideration should be given to the most suitable management option for each part of the public highway. Where the highways authority is adopting the street, discussions with highways should be initiated as early as possible. Developers may wish to retain control over the street as this can enable them to maintain higher-quality materials. Alternative options include a management company or residents’ trust.

Designating a street as a Home Zone can enable it to be used for activities such as children’s play and social functions. Unlike 20mph areas all street users have equal priority.

Designers should work collaboratively with utility and waste collection providers throughout the design process to ensure design quality is not compromised in the long term.