Road Types

Internal Development Road Types 

For the purposes of the LHDG the five main internal road typologies commonly used within development in Leicestershire are:

Shared Surface and Minor Residential Roads should have a stronger place identity, but Major Residential Access Roads in particular serve a significant movement function. 

The Figures 1 to 3 below define the expected layouts for residential provision; for Major Residential and Residential Access Roads an absolute minimum and augmented (enhanced) standard are shown. The illustrative drawings provided below are not intended to be prescriptive but illustrate the council’s general expectations regarding layout principles. 

Figures 1-3 are not standalone and must be considered alongside all the guidance in the LHDG. For example, a Residential Access Road at 4.8m wide is only appropriate for access roads up to 50 dwellings, for over 50 dwellings they must be 5.5m. 

In particular, refer to Table 3 and sections on active travel, green infrastructure

LCC will facilitate and encourage the provision of the augmented standard. The requirement for provision should be identified at the planning stage in discussion with the Local Planning Authority and the LCC. The type of provision will depend on the aspirations for the development and local plan policy. Design should accord with active travel guidance and highway constructed to an adoptable standard.

Please also refer to the LHDG’s Active Travel Matrix

 

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drawing showing the expected design of major residential access roads - both an augmented (enhanced to include green infrastructure) and absolute minimum standard

Figure 1: Major Residential Access Road (Primary Streets)

Major Residential Access Road (Primary Streets)

  • Typically provide a primarily movement function. 
  • Road between strategic routes or linking urban centres. 
  • Primarily segregated active travel routes. 
  • Bus access is likely

 

Image
drawing showing the expected design of residential access roadss - both an augmented (enhanced to include green infrastructure) and absolute minimum standard

Figure 2: Expected design for residential access roads (augmented and absolute minimum standards)

Residential Access Road (Secondary & Local Streets)

  • Both movement and place function. 
  • Multi-modal corridor with pedestrian, cycle, bus and other motor vehicle activity. 
  • Active travel interventions will depend on traffic flows and speeds.

 

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drawing showing the expected absolute minimum standard layout for a shared surface residential access road

Figure 3: Expected absolute minimum design standard for shared surface residential access roads

Shared Surface Residential Access (Tertiary Street)

  • Strong place function. 
  • Emphasis on pedestrian and cyclist use. 
  • Not acceptable for use as a bus route 

Residential developments of more than 1000 dwellings and commercial developments

Internal roads for residential development of more than 1000 dwellings and employment and commercial developments should be designed to comply with LHDG guidance, and the council’s specification and standard drawings. The council will consider the design of development roads for sites of more than 1000 dwellings, or which are otherwise not covered by the following guidance, on a site-by-site basis. 

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