Streets for All: Practical Case Studies

From Norwich to Petersfield, from Hemel Hempstead to Halifax, local authorities are increasingly recognising that improving the streets brings a range of benefits to everyone. Local businesses report better trade, more people are encouraged to walk and cycle, the streets become safer, more sociable places, and the historic character of an area is enhanced rather than degraded. Removing unnecessary signs, poles, bollards, barriers and road markings are just some of the changes being made by councils in a bid to improve our streets.

Streets for All: Practical Case Studies consists of a summary document plus ten leaflets, each on a different aspect of making better streets and each featuring a town or city where this has been put into practice. Aimed at local authorities and highways engineers, each leaflet contains detailed advice on issues to be considered and procedures to go through and lists relevant documents and legislation. They help practitioners understand the key elements that make up successful streetscape management. 

These practical examples, each of which is the subject of a separate leaflet, are:

  1. Fixing signs/lights and CCTV to buildings – Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
  2. Parking restrictions without yellow lines – Oswestry town centre, Shropshire
  3. Guardrails and crossings – Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, Norfolk
  4. Historic surfaces – Hawes, Yorkshire Dales
  5. Traffic calming – Petersfield, Hampshire
  6. Tactile paving – Chapel Street, Guildford, Surrey
  7. Non standard signs and best use of standard signs – Southgate, Halifax, W Yorkshire
  8. Reducing sign clutter – Erith town centre, Bexley, SE London
  9. Use of white lines – Latton, Wiltshire
  10. How to do a street audit – Melksham, Wiltshire

What's New?

  • December 2009 - February 2010. The social, economic and environmental value of heritage assets has been proven beyond doubt but questions surrounding heritage protection remain. A strategic approach to conservation management as part of planning and development will help not only to protect and enhance conservation areas but also to achieve broader corporate objectives. A national seminar series has been developed by the Historic Towns Forum and English Heritage to support those in local authorities responsible for strategic management and policy making.
  • Wednesday 24 February 2010, Telford; Tuesday 2 March 2010, Newcastle upon Tyne. A 1-day event aimed at people involved in the planning system within World Heritage Sites, including Planners, Conservation Officers, WHS Co-ordinators and Councillors.