STREETSCAPE GUIDANCE

HOME
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] Kerbside activity 189
Location
The location of bus stops should be based
on operational considerations, policy and
consultation, addressing passenger convenience,
pedestrian and traffic safety, and bus service
frequency, such as the following:
• Any new or amended bus stop and shelter
layout must seek to design out crime,
according to section 17 of the Crime and
Disorder Act
• Generally stops should be provided at intervals
of between 300-400 metres
• Where bus stop cycle by-pass lanes are
planned or exist, specific attention must be
paid to the width/adequacy of passenger
waiting areas and safe walking routes to and
from the bus stop
• Stops should ideally be located close to health
centres, places of worship, leisure centres,
hospitals and retail areas
• To comply with the duties under the Equality
Act, a ramp should be able to be deployed on
the kerb from the bus to enable wheelchair
access. Further information is available in the
Accessible Bus Stop Design Guidance
• Consideration should be given to the impact
of the bus stop on commercial and residential
land uses. This may include inconvenience
to adjacent property users. It also includes
the visual impact on sensitive landscape and
townscape locations and listed buildings
• Cage lengths are an important factor in
appropriately locating bus stops. Cage lengths
are described in the Accessible Bus Stop
Design Guidance
• In some circumstances it may be appropriate
to combine the bus stop flag with street
lighting
• Except on wider roads and dual carriageways,
stops should be not be sited opposite each
other. They should be staggered to allow
traffic to pass comfortably and safely
• Stops should be sited clear of central refuges.
If located near a pedestrian crossing they
should be positioned after the facility, so as to
give a clear view of the crossing for oncoming
vehicles
• Where possible, stops should be sited back
from the crest of hills and bridges, on the
approach side. Stops should not be placed at
or near sharp bends
• Placing bus stops near shops which stay open
late can help to provide natural surveillance
for passengers waiting at the stop. However, it
may also be advisable to move bus stops away
from pubs, clubs, and off-licences to help
reduce the risk of passengers becoming targets
for harassment and other crimes
Public realm
• The bus stop, passenger shelter and
surrounding footway should be well
illuminated and maintained
• Street clutter in the boarding/alighting zones
should be avoided to allow full accessibility.
Litter bins should be placed well clear of the
boarding and alighting zones (refer to Bins)
• Bus boarders are beneficial for reducing the
amount of kerbside space needed for the bus
stop
• Please refer to ‘Kerbs’ for further information
on kerbs at bus stops
Bus boarder design
For TLRN and borough roads subject to a 30mph
speed limit or less, bus boarders should be
considered at bus stops where:
• Parked or loading vehicles cause operational
problems for buses
• Buses have difficulty rejoining the main
traffic flow