Hurst Lane Place WorkshopSolihull Metropolitan Borough Council

23rd April 2013

Streets and Roads

So – what is a street anyway?

• “A street is a highway that has important public realm functions beyond the

movement of traffic” (Manual for Streets)

• Streets have a sense of place and are distinctive

• Streets are lined with and provide direct access to buildings and public

spaces

What are roads for?

‘The word ‘road’ derives from the Old English word for a journey on horseback: a road was something

(Dictionary of Urbanism)

‘Roads are essentially highways whose main function is accommodating the movement of motor traffic.’ (Manual for Streets)

Streets and Roads

Design choices need to respect both the Movement and thePlace functions of streets

Place Status

Movem

en

t S

tatu

s

Motorway

High Street

Residential Street

Rural Lane

Movement

Place

Place

Place

Place

Place

What are streets for?

Movement

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Buses

Cars

Deliveries

Parking

Place Shopping Playing Socialising Eating/drinking Sitting Events

Place Shopping Playing Socialising Eating/drinking Sitting Events

What are streets for?

Movement

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Buses

Cars

Deliveries

Parking

Place Shopping Playing Socialising Eating/drinking Sitting Events

What are streets for?

Movement

Pedestrians

Cyclists

Buses

Cars

Deliveries

Parking

Steps to Better Streets

Steps

1. Tidy up

2. De-clutter

3. Relocate / merge functions

4. Rethink traffic management options

5. Recreate the street

Initial ConditionBefore…

Stage 1 – Tidy UpStep 1 – Tidy up

Stage 2 – De-clutterStage 2 – De-clutter

Stage 2 – De-clutterStage 3 – Relocate / merge functions

Stage 4 – Rethink Traffic ManagementStage 4 - Rethink traffic management options

Stage 5 – Re-create the StreetStage 5 - Re-create the street

Case Study – Bexley Heath, London

Albion Road / Church Road (Trinity Place)

Albion Road / Church Road (Trinty Place)

Albion Road / Trinity Place – approx. 2000 vehicles / day

1. Represents a gateway to the town centre from the west as well as a public space.

2. Maintain the primacy of the Trinity Chapel elevation and the key architectural statement.

3. Introduction of a new roundabout at the approach of Albion Road to Trinity Place will help reduce traffic speed and will also unlock adjacent redevelopment sites

Outcomes

Arnsberg Way junction with Mayplace Road West

Arnsberg Way / Mayplace Road West

1. New development opportunities and tree planting along Arnsberg Way creates greater enclosure along road.

1. Removal of traffic signals from three junctions on this road improves traffic flow while retaining pedestrian accessibility and significantly contributes to the integration of this road with the main part of the town centre.

Outcomes

Case Study – Ashford, Kent

Before…

Ashford Ring Road – 3 years on

Has it worked?

Case Study - Poynton Town Centre

Before…

Improvements

Key changes:

• Revitalised village centre

• Shifted thinking in relation to shared space

• 88% of businesses experienced an increase in footfall

• £4 million scheme cost