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Kent Pedestrian Guard Railing Assessment
Dartford – Report for Consultation (Version 3)
June 2011
Project Number B649000
Document control sheet BPP 04 F8
Project: Kent Guard Railing Assessment Job No: B1649000 Document Title: Dartford – Report for Consultation Vrs 3
Originator Checked by Reviewed by Approved by NAME NAME NAME NAME ORIGINAL R. Fletcher S. Watkins G. Williams G. Williams
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE 24/12/2010
Document Status
NAME NAME NAME NAME REVISION R. Fletcher S. Watkins G. Williams G. Williams
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE 19/01/2011
Document Status
NAME NAME NAME NAME REVISION R. Fletcher S. Watkins G. Williams G. Williams
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE 01/06/2011
Document Status
NAME NAME NAME NAME REVISION
DATE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE SIGNATURE
Document Status
Contents
1. Foreword 2. Methodology
3. Site assessments
1
1 Foreword
In November 2010 a Pedestrian Guardrail Assessment was carried out in Dartford town centre. The initial report was sent to Dartford Borough Council, County Members and KHS Transport and Development team for comments. This report details the comments received through the consultation process and the Safety Auditor’s response and recommendations to be taken to the Joint Transportation Board on 14h June 2011. As a result of the comments received this report includes an assessment of the pedestrian guard railing at 2 further sites in Dartford (sites 20 and 21). Following comments received from Dartford Borough Council an extra site has also been investigated (site 22) where concerns have been raised that the desire line for pedestrians needs to be prevented There is an increasing emphasis on improving the streetscape by removing street clutter and providing better pedestrian accessibility whilst still maintaining road safety. It is recognised that where pedestrian guard railing is badly sited or over installed it not only alienates pedestrians but also looks unsightly, easily becomes damaged which in turn leads to increased maintenance costs and complaints. Guard railing can be the right solution when the objectives of installing it (and in the right amount) are fully considered. The main purpose of guard railing is to improve safety by trying to prevent pedestrians from crossing the road at an inappropriate place or from straying into the road inadvertently. Guard railing can also be used to offer some protection to pedestrians at locations where the path of large vehicles, such as buses and heavy goods vehicles, takes the vehicles close to the footway, sometimes overhanging it. This report contains recommendations to retain, install, partially remove or wholly remove pedestrian guard railing from 22 sites across Dartford. 2
2 Methodology
The assessments were conducted within an approximate 750metre (820yard) radius (1 mile diameter) of the High Street to incorporate the main pedestrian thoroughfares in the town centre (see figure 1). Each site has been assessed by a fully qualified road safety auditor and a road safety engineer. Records of each site will be maintained by the KHS Signs, Lines and Barriers Asset Manager. The surveys have allowed sufficient adjacent road space to be included; the exact length of road surveyed to make up a site has been dictated by the existence of side roads, major entrances / exits and the current extent of the existing guard railing. The type of pedestrian guard railing assessed has been categorised into one of three types as shown below:
Standard type ‘See through’ type
Decorative type
The decorative type of railing has a number of variations. The site assessment was conducted by assessing the effectiveness of individual guardrails within the site and effectiveness as a whole. Photographs were taken and all technical data pertaining to the site was recorded including guard rail measurements, carriageway and footway width, proximity of junctions, type of pedestrian crossing and proximity to other crossings etc. Local trip attractors and generators have also been identified to assess pedestrian desire lines.
3
Where appropriate the width of the carriageway and its arrangement into lanes has been recorded as this relates to the degree of difficulty that people have in crossing. The width of the available footway has also been taken and consideration given to the effect the guard railing has on reducing the effective footway width. Illustrated diagrams indicating pedestrian guardrail locations, any proposals to install additional guardrail panels, the replacement of any damaged panels and to remove or retain the guardrails have been included.
4
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
l Ass
essm
ent:
T
ow
n C
entr
e:
Ap
pro
xim
ate
rad
ius
fro
m t
he
Hig
h
Str
eet
- 75
0met
res
(820
yard
s)
3
General comments Comment Dartford Borough Council have asked that consideration is made to the replacement of damaged railings or railings needing repair with better ones when they are removed so that there is a more consistent, uniform and better appearance for those that are left. Where railings are removed and not replaced the Borough Council would like to see the reinstatement of the old location to a high standard of quality. There are a number of railings which are being proposed to be left in situ and some of these are clearly in need of repair – the Borough Council hopes this initiative will ensure that these repairs are undertaken if the railings cannot be replaced for ones in better condition. Response All works will be carried out with care to improve the street scene. Comment Railings should not be removed where they have been installed as the result of an incident. Response The factors causing the incident may no longer exist as other measures may also have been taken or the highway altered. Comment Any Fastrack railing that is removed should be stored for future use as a replacement in the event of damage. Response Noted - railings to be stored for future use.
6
Site 1 Location:
Site 1 is located at the junction of Highfield Road and Kent Road. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received
Panels on the corner of Westgate Road and Kent Road should be retained due to possibility of vehicle overrun. Response to comments The end panel on Westgate Road is still recommended to be removed as it is on a straight trajectory. The panel on Kent Road to be retained to prevent vehicle overrun.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is a busy junction adjacent to large retailing outlets on the northern side and some smaller retail outlets on the southern side. There is a high volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railings at site 1.
Illustrated Diagram of site 1 7
Sit
e 1
Lo
cati
on
: A
t th
e ju
nct
ion
wit
h A
226
Wes
tgat
e R
oad
& K
ent
Ro
ad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Ass
essm
ent:
Rem
ove
- --
----
--
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
5 p
anel
s
9 p
anel
s
6 p
anel
s
5 p
anel
s
2 p
anel
s
1 p
anel
3 p
anel
s
5 p
anel
s
3 p
anel
s (o
n is
lan
d)
5 p
anel
s
Ken
t R
oad
Wes
tgat
e R
oad
Hig
hfi
eld
Ro
ad
Site 2 Location:
Site 2 is located at the junction of Westgate Road and Hythe Road. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Yes
Comments received a) The section of 4 and 13 panels on Westgate Road should be retained as this area is known for pedestrians crossing the road here. b) 1 panel is set at an incorrect height on the corner of Westgate Road and Hythe Street (west side of Hythe Street). c) Why keep the 15 panels on the corner of Hythe Street? d) The 1 panel section on Hythe Street should be retained as it is at the bottom of steps leading away from the station. Response to comments a) There is a controlled crossing point on Westgate Road where pedestrians should cross. The central reservation remains as a deterrent with trief kerbs thus precluding the need for the 13 panels. b) The panel at the incorrect height is a maintenance issue. c) The section with 13 panels is part of a shared pedestrian / cycle route. Buses also turn in here at an angle. d) Agree – retain 1 panel section.
9
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is a busy junction and is an access to Dartford Railway Station for pedestrians. There are some smaller retail outlets and residential flats on the southern side. The pedestrian guard railing recommended for retention on the western side has a panel installed at a higher level than the adjacent railings and some are damaged. There are 15 guard railing panels on the eastern side that are in a poor condition and are painted in a different colour to the rest of the pedestrian guard railing and are a mixture of the standard and see through types. There is a high volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railings at site 2.
• It is also recommended to re-install at the correct height the guard
railing panel that is higher than the adjacent panels and all panels that are damaged or in poor condition should be replaced.
• It is also recommended that all railings should be painted in the same
colour and the type of guard railing standardised.
Illustrated Diagram of site 2
10
5 p
anel
s
1 p
anel
5 p
anel
s
2 p
anel
s
4 p
anel
s
13 p
anel
s
Sit
e 2
Lo
cati
on
: A
t th
e ju
nct
ion
wit
h H
yth
e S
tree
t &
A
226
Wes
tgat
e R
oad
Hyt
he
Str
eet
Wes
tgat
e R
oad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Ass
essm
ent:
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
1 p
anel
set
at
inco
rrec
t h
eig
ht
Wes
tgat
e R
oad
Hyt
he
Str
eet
15 p
anel
s in
po
or
con
dit
ion
Site 3 Location:
Site 3 is located on Highfield Road. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received
The 6 panels on the east side of Highfield Road should be retained as they are at the bottom of a ramp from Essex Road. Response to comments The difference in levels is 3 -4 metres back from the road. The ramp does not face directly onto the Highfield Road.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site has mainly residential properties on the west and eastern side and has a high volume of traffic with moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railings at site 3.
Illustrated Diagram of site 3
12
Hig
hfi
eld
Ro
ad
Ess
ex R
oad
4 p
anel
s
6 p
anel
s
6 p
anel
s
5 p
anel
s
Sit
e 3
Lo
cati
on
: H
igh
fiel
d R
oad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Site 4 Location:
Site 4 is located on Highfield Road. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received
There are potential safety issues with removing pedestrian railings along Highfield Road as there are a number of secondary schools in the area. Pupils walking in groups may inadvertently step into the highway or across junctions with less than full attention to oncoming traffic.
Response to comments Where forward visibility is reduced the pedestrian guard railing will be retained. Where the railing is on a straight section of road with good visibility there is no requirement to retain it.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site has mainly residential properties and some small retail outlets on the west and eastern side. There is a high volume of traffic with moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railings at site 4.
Illustrated Diagram of site 4
14
Hig
hfi
eld
Ro
ad
Wes
t H
ill
Hig
hfi
eld
Ro
ad
Sp
ital
Str
eet
Sit
e 4
Lo
cati
on
: J/
W H
igh
fiel
d R
oad
/Wes
t H
ill
and
Sp
ital
Str
eet
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
19 p
anel
s 4
pan
els
4
pan
els
4
pan
els
4 p
anel
s
3 p
anel
s
5 p
anel
s
Site 5 Location:
Site 5 is located on Highfield Road approximately 30metres south of the lane Spring Vale North.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly residential properties and has only a single panel installed on the footway. There is a moderate volume of traffic with low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railing offers no benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 5.
Illustrated Diagram of site 5
16
1 P
anel
Hig
hfi
eld
Ro
ad
Tri
nit
y G
ard
ens
Sp
rin
g V
ale
No
rth
Sit
e 5
Lo
cati
on
: H
igh
fiel
d R
oad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Inst
on
e R
oad
Site 6 Location:
Site 6 is located on Highfield Road approximately 30metres south of the lane Spring Vale North.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Yes Comments received a) The panels at the top of the ramp from Spring Vale should be retained.
b) There are potential safety issues with removing pedestrian railings along Highfield Road / Instone Road as there are a number of secondary schools in the area. Pupils walking in groups may inadvertently step into the highway or across junctions with less than full attention to oncoming traffic.
Response to comments
a) Agreed – retain 3 panels
b) Removing the pedestrian guard railing will increase the usable footway width. The railing here currently causes an obstruction. The subway is available for those crossing the road. Where forward visibility is reduced the pedestrian guard railing will be retained. Where the railing is on a straight section of road with good visibility there is no requirement to retain it.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly residential properties and is a link to a Superstore and the High Street. The southern footway width is approximately a metre and at a point approximately midway this is reduced further by a ‘One Way Traffic’ sign post on the footway and a lamp column adjacent which could be restrictive for pushchairs. There is a mixture of standard and see through types of pedestrian guard railings. There is a moderate volume of traffic with moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings identified for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 6.
Illustrated Diagram of site 6
18
Sit
e 6
Lo
cati
on
: j/w
Inst
on
e R
oad
an
d H
igh
field
R
oad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Ret
ain
- -
----
----
82 p
anel
s
29 p
anel
s
Inst
on
e R
oad
Hig
hfi
eld
Ro
ad
3 p
anel
s
Site 7 Location:
Site 7 is located at the roundabout junction with Victoria Road/Hythe Street and Mill Pond Road.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received
Development proposals will increase pedestrians and traffic flows and the matter will need to be reviewed.
Response to comments Agreed - the area will need to be monitored.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly business outlets and is a link to Dartford Railway Station. There is a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 7.
Illustrated Diagram of site 7
20
3 p
anel
s
23 p
anel
s
3 p
anel
s
2 p
anel
s 10 p
anel
s
8 p
anel
s
9 p
anel
s
1 p
anel
5 p
anel
s
Sit
e 7
Lo
cati
on
: R
bt
j/w V
icto
ria
Ro
ad/H
yth
e R
oad
an
d
Mill
Po
nd
Ro
ad/H
yth
e S
tree
t
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Mill
Po
nd
Ro
ad
Hyt
he
Str
eet
Hyt
he
Str
eet
Vic
tori
a R
oad
Site 8 Location:
Site 8 is located at the junction with Burnham Road and Priory Road. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly residential properties and is a link to the Dartford Railway Station. There is a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 8.
Illustrated Diagram of site 8
22
7 p
anel
s
10 p
anel
s
4 p
anel
s
10 p
anel
s
Pri
ory
Ro
ad N
ort
h
Bu
rnh
am R
oad
Sit
e 8
Lo
cati
on
: B
urn
ham
Ro
ad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
--
Site 9 Location:
Site 9 is located at the junction with West Hill and King Edward Avenue. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received The 5 panels on the south side of West Hill should be retained to deter pavement parking.
Response to comments
Pedestrian guard railing is not a parking control measure.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located near ‘Our Lady’ Catholic Primary School on the northern side and some small business outlets adjacent to the site on the southern side with residential properties located on the western side. On the western refuge island there are some damaged guard railings. The site has both a moderate volume of traffic and pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 9.
• It is also recommended to replace the damaged pedestrian guard railings on the western refuge island.
Illustrated Diagram of site 9
24
Sit
e 9
Lo
cati
on
: j/w
Wes
t H
ill a
nd
Kin
g E
dw
ard
Ave
nu
e
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
----
R
etai
n -
----
----
-
2 p
anel
s
3 p
anel
s
5 p
anel
s
4 p
anel
s
Dam
aged
pan
els
Wes
t H
ill
Kin
g E
dw
ard
Ave
nu
e
‘Ou
r L
ady’
Cat
ho
lic P
rim
ary
Sch
oo
l
To
wer
Ro
ad
Site 10 Location:
Site 10 is located on Station Approach (Dartford Railway Station). Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received
This area will need to be reviewed as development comes forward, pedestrian traffic is liable to increase and requires increased footway width.
Response to comments
The usable footway will increase with the pedestrian guard rails removed. The area should be monitored.
Conclusions / Recommendations On the southern side of the site are Dartford Borough Council offices and on the northern side is the railway station. The site has both a low volume of traffic and pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 10.
Illustrated Diagram of site 10
26
Sta
tio
n A
pp
roac
h
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
49 p
anel
s
Sit
e 10
Lo
cati
on
: S
tati
on
Ap
pro
ach
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Site 11 Location:
Site 11 is located on Home Gardens. Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received See little point in retained these as pedestrians can cross at either end.
Response to comments
There is a pedestrian desire line here to the superstore therefore recommended to retain to deter this movement.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located on the central reservation and has a block of offices on the eastern side with a shopping centre on the western side. The pedestrian guard railings are a mixture of the standard and see through type and some guard railing panels are damaged. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings on the central reservation offer a benefit as a guide and protective device for office staff utilising the shopping centre.
• It is recommended to retain the pedestrian guard railing at site 11. • It is also recommended to replace the damaged panels.
Illustrated Diagram of site 11
28
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Su
per
sto
re
Sit
e 11
Lo
cati
on
: H
om
e G
ard
ens
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
Rep
lace
dam
aged
p
anel
s
Site 12 Location: Site 12 is located on A226 East Hill.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received The 3 panels should be retained to deter pavement parking.
Response to comments
Pedestrian guard railing is not a parking control measure.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly residential properties and is a link to the High Street. There are only three panels installed on the footway. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railing offers little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 12.
Illustrated Diagram of site 12
30
Sit
e 12
Lo
cati
on
:
Ove
r L
iber
ty
Ped
estr
ian
gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
3 p
anel
s
Ove
r L
iber
ty
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Mo
un
t P
leas
ant
Ro
ad
Site 13 Location: Site 13 is located at the junction of Home Gardens/East Hill and Overy Liberty.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received
a) The 8 panel section on the corner of East Hill / Home Gardens should be retained as the radius is tight for HGVS.
b)The 2 panel section and the end of the 8 panel section on the west side of Home Gardens should be retained due to the unusual shape of the junction and these act as a guide. c) The 2 panels on the north side of the junction alongside the Fastrack busway usefully mark the end of the footway down East Hill and channel pedestrians and cyclists to the signalled crossing facilities, dissuading random crossing of the busway. Also, the crossing point is part of the NCR1 shared cycle facility alongside the busway at this point and we want to encourage cyclists to use the shared footway facility here rather than joining the busway at this point. Response to comments a) The footway is wide therefore pedestrians do not need to walk close to the road. b) There is good visibility of the crossing therefore the railings are not required to act as a guide. c) Agreed – 2 panels to be retained.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly residential properties on the north western side and the Royal Air forces Association Memorial Hall on the southern side and is a link to the High Street. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railing offers little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 13.
Illustrated Diagram of site 13
32
E
ast
Hill
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Ove
ry S
tree
t
Ove
ry L
iber
ty
Sit
e 13
Lo
cati
on
: j/w
Ho
me
Gar
den
s an
d W
est
Hill
/Ove
ry L
iber
ty
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
3 p
anel
s 1 p
anel
8 p
anel
s
2 p
anel
s
Bu
s L
ane
Site 14 Location: Site 14 is located on a bridge on Overy Liberty approximately 5metres west from the junction of Home Gardens and East Hill.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located adjacent to the Royal Air Forces Association Memorial Hall and is a link to the High Street. The pedestrian guard railing is located on the southern footway. The railing and Trieff Kerbing should be retained to protect pedestrians from bus and HGV wing mirrors and from these vehicles over running the pavement when conducting a turning manoeuvre from Home Gardens into Overy Liberty. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use.
• It is recommended to retain the pedestrian guard railing at site 14.
Illustrated Diagram of site 14
34
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Eas
t H
ill
Ove
ry L
iber
ty
Sit
e 14
Lo
cati
on
: O
very
Lib
erty
Ove
ry S
tree
t
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
rai
ling
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
Site 15 Location: Site 15 is located on Overy Liberty at the junction of High Street.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received
a) The end sections of the two 7 panels sections on the corner of the High Street should be retained to deter vehicles driving onto the High Street. The Borough Council would like measures to be considered (once the railings are removed) to sensitively provide a physical barrier/bollards to vehicles at that point. On the other side of this site (outside Paper Moon) there may be an issue with large vehicles (when a bus is in the bus lane) turning into Market Street and mounting the pavement.
Response to comments
a) This is not the proper use of pedestrian guard railing. Replacing pedestrian guard railing with alternative measures is beyond the scope of the recommendations however Dartford Borough Council may wish to install barriers of their own choosing.
b) The road width is sufficient here.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly small retail outlets and is linked to the High Street. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railing offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 15.
36
Ove
ry L
iber
ty
Hig
h S
tree
t
Mar
ket
Str
eet
Sit
e 15
Lo
cati
on
: j/w
Ove
ry L
iber
ty a
nd
Hig
h
Str
eet
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
7 p
anel
s
7 p
anel
s
4 p
anel
s 4
pan
els
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Site 16 Location: Site 16 is located on Market Street at the junction of Market Place.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes
Comments received
The 4 panels on the eastern end of the central reservation should be retained as buses are liable to overhang the footway. Response to comments Agreed – these panels now recommended to be retained.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located at the bus terminus, the Dartford Borough Museum and is linked to the High Street. The decorative type pedestrian guard railings are plastic coated and the internal steel piping has corroded flakes which have expanded breaking the plastic coating. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 16.
• It is also recommended to replace the pedestrian guard railings assessed for retention.
Illustrated Diagram of site 16
38
Mar
ket
Str
eet
Bu
s T
erm
inu
s
Hig
h S
tree
t
Dar
tfo
rd B
oro
ug
h M
use
um
Sit
e 16
Lo
cati
on
: M
arke
t S
tree
t
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
2 p
anel
s
4 p
anel
s
4 p
anel
s
Site 17 Location: Site 17 is located on Market Street/Lowfield Street at the junction of Market Place.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Yes
Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are retail outlets and is linked to the High Street. The pedestrian guard railings are a mixture of both the decorative and see through types. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 17.
Illustrated Diagram of site 17
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Mar
ket
Str
eet
Lo
wfi
eld
Str
eet
Sit
e 17
Lo
cati
on
: M
arke
t S
tree
t/L
ow
fiel
d S
tree
t
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
16 p
anel
s
9 p
anel
s 2
pan
els
Site 18 Location: Site 18 is located at the junction of Lowfield Street and Instone Road.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Yes
Comments received
Do we retain the subway or fill it as a result of redevelopment in Lowfield Street? Response to comments This is beyond the scope of the pedestrian guard railing assessment.
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located at a subway and at the entrance to a Superstore on the northern side and some retail outlets and residential properties on both the southern and eastern sides. The pedestrian guard railings are a mixture of both the standard and see through types with the subway guard railings in poor condition. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 18.
• It is also recommended to replace the guard railings on the subway walls.
Illustrated Diagram of site 18
42
Sit
e 18
Lo
cati
on
: j/w
Lo
wfi
eld
an
d In
sto
ne
Ro
ad
3 p
anel
s
2 p
anel
s
7 p
anel
s 2
pan
els
3 p
anel
s
2 p
anel
s
Lo
wfi
eld
Str
eet
Inst
on
e R
oad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
Rep
lace
pan
els
on
su
bw
ay w
alls
Site 19 Location: Site 19 is located at the junction of Princes Road and Lowfield Street.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Yes Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located where there are mainly residential properties and some retail outlets. The pedestrian guard railings are a mixture of both the standard and see through types. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and moderate pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings assessed for removal offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to partially remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 19.
• It is also recommended to install 1 panel at the end of the western side refuge island.
Illustrated Diagram of site 19
44
1 p
anel
to
be
inst
alle
d
Sit
e 19
Lo
cati
on
: j/w
low
fiel
d S
tree
t an
d P
rin
ces
Ro
ad
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
--
Ret
ain
- --
----
---
11 p
anel
s
9 p
anel
s
5 p
anel
s
Pri
nce
s R
oad
Pri
nce
s R
oad
Lo
wfi
eld
Str
eet
Lo
wfi
eld
Str
eet
Mea
d R
oad
Site 20 Location: Site 20 is located on Home Gardens.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located at a large bus stop with six shelters, one being a Fastrack bus shelter and is adjacent to the stairway leading to the Dartford Civic Centre and Dartford Railway Station. The site has a high volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 20.
Illustrated Diagram of site 20
46
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Dar
tfo
rd C
ivic
Cen
tre
Sit
e 20
Lo
cati
on
: T
he
Ho
me
Gar
den
s b
us
Sto
ps
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
5 p
anel
s
Site 21 Location: Site 21 is located on Hythe Street.
Types of Guard Railing:
Standard See through Decorative
Yes Comments received None
Conclusions / Recommendations The site is located opposite the service entrance to the Prospect Place Shopping Centre. The site has a moderate volume of traffic and low pedestrian use. The pedestrian guard railings offer little benefit as a guide or protective device.
• It is recommended to remove the pedestrian guard railing at site 21.
Illustrated Diagram of site 21
48
Sit
e 21
Lo
cati
on
: H
yth
e S
tree
t
Ped
estr
ian
Gu
ard
Rai
ling
Rem
ove
- --
----
---
20 p
anel
s
Pro
spec
t P
lace
Sh
op
pin
g C
entr
e
Hyt
he
Str
eet
Ho
me
Gar
den
s
Dar
tfo
rd R
ailw
ay S
tati
on
Dar
tfo
rd C
ivic
Cen
tre
Site 22 Location: Site 22 is located at the junction of Home Gardens and Station Approach. Background and recommendations
As a result of an email response from the consultation process from Dartford Borough Council an investigation took place on Tuesday 12th January 2011 of the junction of Home Gardens and Station Approach together with the entrance to The Orchard and Waitrose car parks.
The photo below shows the desire line for pedestrians across the carriageway. Site observations reveal a significant number of pedestrians using this route. Indeed the route has been cleared of vegetation and due to the dropped kerb on the trief kerbing on the northern side of the traffic island pedestrian access is easy.
This route is extremely dangerous with traffic exiting the roundabout at high speeds in both directions as well as a car park entrance/exit where drivers will not be expecting pedestrians.
Due to the presence of a large manhole (hence the dropped kerb for associated access) the kerb cannot be raised. However the site inspection revealed that a number of remedial measures are possible:
Photo 1. View of pedestrian desire line (red) and traffic directions (yellow)
50
Photo 2. Possible replacement rails
Photo 3. Possible new planting
51
2 replacement rails
New planting of low shrubs
Photo 4. Possible new planting
Photo 5 Possible new planting
52
New planting of low shrubs
New planting of low shrubs
Photos 2-5 show what could be achieved with the re-use of railing currently being highlighted for removal in Dartford town centre as part of the pedestrian guard railing assessments being carried out by KHS. Small amounts of shrubs could also be used to deter pedestrians from using this dangerous route.
The shrubs and possible replacement railings have been assessed and are not in the visibility splays of the junction and accordingly could be fitted as a deterrent.
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