Safe pedestrian route
For the purposes of the Home Quality Mark, safe pedestrian routes are pedestrian routes on a development site which are within the control of a developer, that are deemed to be safe and accessible for pedestrian users (including people with disabilities, the elderly and children).
Safe pedestrian routes take into account the physical limitations of those who may use them, for example providing steps appropriately supported by sloped access and dropped curbs positioned at crossing points. These routes and associated spaces are appropriately sized, with good visibility of the route ahead.
They should also meet the following requirements:
- Where required, lighting design must be in accordance with BS 5489-1:2013 Lighting of roads and public amenity areas (rural areas are exempt from this requirement).
- At crossing points there must be appropriate pedestrian crossings (such as zebra or pelican crossings) in place or a clear line of sight for at least 50m in each direction on roads with a 30mph speed limit or 100m in each direction on roads with a speed limit of greater than 30mph.
- On roads with a speed limit of 30mph (or higher) there is a clearly defined footpath.
- All footpaths provided should be at least 900mm wide. In rural areas, on single track roads, a grass verge is acceptable in place of a footpath.
- In clearly defined home zones, it is acceptable for the pedestrian routes to use the road.
- They follow nationally-recognised design guidance, such as BS 8300-2:2018..
Pedestrian routes that are outside of a development site, and therefore not within the control of the developer, do not need to meet the above requirements. However, it must be demonstrated that there is a pedestrian route, which is not shared with vehicular traffic, from the site boundary to the transport node (for example, via pavements, footpaths, pedestrian crossings). The route shall be signposted.
Ref Home Quality Mark One, Technical Manual SD239, England, Scotland & Wales, published by BRE in 2018.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accessible.
- Access consultant.
- Accessibility in the built environment.
- Approved document M.
- BRE articles.
- BREEAM.
- Changing lifestyles in the built environment.
- Close proximity.
- Compliant public transport node.
- Dedicated and safe footpaths.
- Dedicated pedestrian crossing.
- Designing for pedestrians.
- Healthy Streets.
- Highway Code changes in 2022.
- Home Quality Mark.
- Lifetime homes.
- Pedestrianised.
- Pedestrian shed.
- People with disabilities.
- Ramp.
- Step free.
- Types of road and street.
- Walking distance.
- Walkway.
Featured articles and news
How can digital twins boost profitability within construction?
A brief description of a smart construction dashboard, collecting as-built data, as a s site changes forming an accurate digital twin.
Unlocking surplus public defence land and more to speed up the delivery of housing.
The Planning and Infrastructure bill oulined
With reactions from IHBC and others on its potential impacts.
Farnborough College Unveils its Half-house for Sustainable Construction Training.
Spring Statement 2025 with reactions from industry
Confirming previously announced funding, and welfare changes amid adjusted growth forecast.
Scottish Government responds to Grenfell report
As fund for unsafe cladding assessments is launched.
CLC and BSR process map for HRB approvals
One of the initial outputs of their weekly BSR meetings.
Architects Academy at an insulation manufacturing facility
Programme of technical engagement for aspiring designers.
Building Safety Levy technical consultation response
Details of the planned levy now due in 2026.
Great British Energy install solar on school and NHS sites
200 schools and 200 NHS sites to get solar systems, as first project of the newly formed government initiative.
600 million for 60,000 more skilled construction workers
Announced by Treasury ahead of the Spring Statement.
The restoration of the novelist’s birthplace in Eastwood.
Life Critical Fire Safety External Wall System LCFS EWS
Breaking down what is meant by this now often used term.
PAC report on the Remediation of Dangerous Cladding
Recommendations on workforce, transparency, support, insurance, funding, fraud and mismanagement.
New towns, expanded settlements and housing delivery
Modular inquiry asks if new towns and expanded settlements are an effective means of delivering housing.
Building Engineering Business Survey Q1 2025
Survey shows growth remains flat as skill shortages and volatile pricing persist.