Easy to walk, cycle & use public transport
Does the public realm encourage people to choose to walk, cycle and use public transport rather than the car?
Ebbsfleet is being planned and built at a transitional time in travel behaviour, particularly within urban areas. Emerging transport technologies and travel services, health-led lifestyles choices, localised congestion, and concerns around air quality and the cost of motoring are all conspiring to reduce our reliance on the car for shorter journeys. The quality of the public realm is critical to supporting people in choosing to walk, cycle or use public transport. The following principles will serve to maximise accessibility, public realm safety, sustainable movement, and a healthier lifestyle for the residents of Ebbsfleet.
Recommendations
1. Generous pavement & cycleway widths
Pedestrian pathways and cycleways should be designed to accommodate the expected flows of pedestrians and cyclist in line with the EDC recommendations. Generous widths of pavement and cycleways are especially important on routes to and from bus stops and train stations.
2. Crossing points & traffic calming
Crossing points on all streets should be located on pedestrian desire lines, clearly marked and easily understood by drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. At crossing points with more than 2 lanes of traffic, super-crossings or resting points should be provided. Additionally, traffic calming should be integrated into the street design and used to both slow traffic and promote a pedestrian friendly environment. Additional details regarding traffic calming and junctions can be found within the design guidance in Section 4
3. Continuous & legible pathways
Pedestrian pathways and cycle-ways should be continuous and provide fluid linkages between adjacent public realm typologies. Wayfinding should be promoted through the inclusion of signage, markings, and paving elements in accordance with the design guidance in Section 5: Hard Landscape Strategy .
4. Limit conflicts between different flows of movement
Pedestrian paths, cycleways, and bus stops should be designed to minimise conflict and promote a safe, smooth flow of various movement types. Additionally, special care should be taken in the design of intersections to avoid potential movement conflicts.
5. Safe & accessible cycle routes
Cycle routes should be designed to make cycling safe and attractive for everyone. Cycle routes should be designed to limit their steepness and maximise use. On streets, cyclist safety should be promoted through clear visibility lines and limiting conflicts with vehicles.
6. Multi-modal bus stops
Bus stops should be designed to encourage multi modal transport by accommodating bike parking, bus shelters, seating areas, and crossing points nearby.
Are pavement widths greater than the minimum set-out in the Ebbsfleet prototype street designs? (see Section4) Have pavement widths been sized to support future growth capacity modelling? (see Ebbsfleet Active Travel Model) Is the street designed in a way to avoid clutter and limit obstacles on the pavement, such as street lights, bins, or signs?
Is the volume of traffic and design speed appropriate for the type of street? Is the street or public space designed to slow traffic speeds and promote the safe movement of pedestrians and cyclists?
Are crossing points located on key desire lines and aligned with the strategic and local movement framework ? Have side junctions been carefully designed to support the safe and direct flow of pedestrians and cyclists over cars (reduced radii, raised tables etc)
Are cyclists accommodated through dedicated cycle paths in line with the cycling strategy and public realm design guidance? Have cycle-way widths considered the future growth capacity modelling in the Ebbsfleet Active Travel Model?
Can people cycling easily stop and secure cycles at convenient locations for accessing shops and services? Does the amount, cost and availability of car parking at local amenities fit with the goal of encouraging people to walk, cycle, and use public transport over using the car for local journeys
Is the street an attractive place to wait for the bus? Are seating areas, bus shelters, and bike parking provided nearby? Is it easy for people to get to bus stops and change between different types of transportation (e.g. from bus to cycle)?