There are a number of physical features that make up the pedestrian environment. This section examines how they should be designed and where they should be located to maximise accessibility.

Pavements

Pavements should be considered as ‘corridors for pedestrian movement’ and as such, they should incorporate as few obstructions as possible so that pedestrian flow is not impeded. The minimum width requirement of a pavement to allow two wheelchairs to pass each other is 1.8 metres; changes in level should be less than 1:20 in gradient. Pavements should be well lit with a firm, well-drained surface that is non-slip in dry and wet weather. They should be as even as possible, without pronounced bevel edges.

Key advice for access groups: If you encounter any problems with the quality and maintenance of the pavements in your local area, it should be reported to the Highways department of your local authority. Your local Access Officer may be able to follow up your complaint, in order to ensure that something is done about the reported problem.

Pedestrian crossings

Safe places to cross within the pedestrian environment are crucially important in the creation of accessible areas. Audible, visual and tactile signals must be clear to help everyone, but particularly those with a sensory impairment. ‘Puffin’ crossings – which allow pedestrians longer to cross if necessary – are now recommended by the Department for Transport as the standard form of pedestrian crossing.

Dropped kerbs must be made flush with the road surface, as even a minimum upstand can be a hazard to wheelchair users. Dropped kerbs may conflict with the needs of visually impaired people who rely on the kerb as a guide, and for this reason, tactile paving surfaces were created.

Government guidelines recommend the installation of tactile paving surfaces and dropped kerbs at all crossing points. Tactile paving, in the form of ‘blister’ paving, should be red in colour at controlled pedestrian crossings (pelican, zebra, toucan and puffin crossings). But at uncontrolled crossings it should be buff in colour, to indicate the presence of a dropped kerb.

The other types of tactile paving are:

• corduroy surface – used at the top and bottom of a flight of steps
• platform edge (off-street) warning surface – to give a warning of the edge of all off-street railway platforms
• platform edge (on-street) warning surface – to give warning of proximity to the edge of a LRT platform
• segregated shared cycle/footway surface – to give complete segregation of pedestrians and cyclists
• guidance path surface – for guidance through a route where kerbs are absent or around street furniture obstacles in a pedestrianised area
• information surface – to help people locate amenities, such as a telephone box

Many local authorities are now installing ‘rotating cones’, which are tactile devices located underneath the control panel at a pelican crossing. They are of particular benefit to visually impaired and deafblind people, especially where no audible signals for crossing are present.

Key advice for access groups: Tactile paving should always be used correctly and consistently to convey the right messages to blind and partially sighted people. If you come across any problems with how it is used then it should be reported to your local Highways department.

If a blind or partially sighted member of your group requires mobility training on how to identify and use tactile paving, they should contact their local Social Services Department, who can arrange this through a Mobility/Rehabilitation Officer.

For further advice on tactile paving and dropped kerbs, refer to the Department for Transport's publication Guidance on the use of tactile paving surfaces.

Street furniture

Sensitive design and location of street furniture can enhance the quality of our streets and can make the pedestrian environment a safer place for everyone. Specific features range from street lights and bus shelters to litterbins and cycle stands.

The amount of street furniture used should be kept to a minimum to create ‘clutter-free zones’ that facilitate pedestrian flow. Street furniture should be grouped together and not randomly placed – towards the edge of the pavement is best. All features should be designed to be highly visible to help people visual impairments, and should be identifiable at ground level by long cane users.

One particular problem are temporary features such as the ‘A-frame’ advertising boards used outside shops. As their location can change from day to day, they may create a very hostile pedestrian environment for visually impaired people. Displays of goods outside shops present the same hazard as well.

Key advice for access groups: By monitoring the design and location of items of street furniture, any problems can be reported to your local Highways department or Planning department. Equally, if the local authority has installed some well-planned and sensitive street furniture, then let them know, so they can implement the same good practice elsewhere.

For further advice on street furniture, refer to the Department for Transport's publication Inclusive Mobility.

Landscaping

As with street furniture, the location of landscaping features such as trees, flowerbeds and grassed areas should be sensitively planned, with the needs of all pedestrians in mind. Landscaping should not be designed on the grounds of visual attractiveness alone. Attention must be given to whether it will be an obstacle to pedestrians – if so, it could be a major hazard for visually impaired pedestrians. For example, one major source of danger is over-hanging branches, which shows how important it is to keep landscaping features well maintained.

Key advice for access groups: Any problems with landscaping features (trees, flowerbeds, grassed areas, and so on) should be reported to your local Planning or Highways department. As with street furniture, though, do not forget to report on well-designed landscaping that does create a pleasant and safe environment for all to use.

For further advice on accessible landscaping refer to the Sensory Trust website.