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] Safety and functionality 257
Design
Street nameplates are commonly viewed from
an acute angle and so the size and choice of font
and spacing should be as legible as possible.
Lettering is recommended to be at a height
of between 75mm and 90mm. The minimum
spacing between words should be approximately
50 per cent of the height of the lettering. Top
and bottom borders should be approximately 40
per cent of the lettering height.
Street nameplates should provide strong visual
contrast between the lettering and the sign
background. The most effective colour contrast
is black lettering on a white background. The
preferred material for the plate is box-formed
vitreous enamel.
Figure 256: Street name plates should provide
strong visual contrast between lettering and
the background
Most local authorities have a particular style of
nameplate that they adopt for the majority of
streets in their area. In many boroughs a coloured
postcode and borough name has been introduced
to provide additional information. The postal
area and direction of house numbers may also be
included to assist navigation. If district names are
to be included on the street nameplate, reduced
lettering heights should be used.
Where historic signage contributes to local
character these should be retained and
refurbished wherever possible.
Authorisation and maintenance
Local authorities are responsible for the
installation and maintenance of street
nameplates. Any proposal to move or erect
street nameplates, should involve the relevant
local authority.
It is recommended that the London boroughs
regularly monitor the quality of street
nameplates and building numbering in their area
to ensure they are of a good standard, prioritising
street nameplates at junctions.
Renaming
Any proposal to rename a street as part of a
major streetscape improvement project requires
authorisation by the local authority. Where
approved, the old name should be crossed out
and remain clearly legible below the new name. It
should be retained for one to two years, before
being considered for removal. Street nameplates
with historic interest should be preserved
wherever possible.
Additional information
Legislation
The Local Government (Miscellaneous
Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Order 1995. No.
759 (N.I. 5). Part 11: Street names and numbering
of buildings
Sections 64 and 65 of the Towns Improvement
Clauses Act 1847 (TICA)
Sections 17-19 of the Public Health Act 1925
(PHA)
Local Government Act 2003
Joint Mobility Unit:
Sign Design Guide, 2000
London Transport Users Committee:
Where am I? Street name signs in London, 2003