STREETSCAPE GUIDANCE

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INTRODUCTION
PART A
A vision for London’s streets
PART B
From strategy to delivery
PART C
New measures for new challenges
PART D
Balancing priorities
PART F
Appendix
PART E
Physical design and materials
SECTION 6
Introduction
SECTION 7
High quality footways
SECTION 8
Carriageways
SECTION 9
Crossings
SECTION 10
Kerbside activity
SECTION 11
Footway amenities
SECTION 12
Safety and functionality
SECTION 13
Street environment
SECTION 14
Transport interchanges
Streetscape Guidance
[Part E – Physical design and materials] Crossings 167
9.6 Grade-separated pedestrian
crossings
General principles
Where other design approaches are not possible,
grade-separated crossings can reduce the
severance effect of major highways and other
barriers. They need to be designed very carefully,
to make them easy to use, direct, safe and
attractive. They should always cater for people
on foot and on cycles.
Grade-separated crossings on the TLRN are most
commonly found on high speed roads (40mph
or greater) and at complex junctions. In London
these often take the form of subways rather than
Figure 163: This footbridge L01 crossing
Ruckholt Road, becomes a landmark through
use of bright colours and thoughtful design
footbridges to minimise the visual intrusion on
the street environment.
Grade-separated crossings should only be
considered in exceptional circumstances where
high vehicle speeds and traffic capacity need
to be maintained and where there is evidence
that road safety risks would not support atgrade
facilities. This should be prioritised where
designated cycle routes meet a barrier in the
form of a motorway or topographic constraint,
such as a river, and the route needs to continue.
Benefits
• Provides the opportunity for improved
connectivity between neighbourhoods severed
by a high speed road network
• Separated crossings are considered safer than
at-grade facilities for high speed road types
• Enables continuity for cycle and pedestrian
routes
• Does not impact on traffic capacity
• Wide land bridges can provide additional
amenity and green infrastructure value
Constraints
• Expensive to construct and maintain
• Will only be used by pedestrians if it is situated
appropriately on a desire line and does not require
negotiating a large number of steps or ramps
• Requires additional space for constructing a
landing point and approach ramp
• May pose a personal security risk if not well-lit
or with adequate surveillance
Figure 164: A footbridge in Queen Elizabeth
Olympic Park in Stratford, London