Citation

Bulpitt M, Paul A, Cook P. Highways 2009; 65-68.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Alad Limited)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Pedestrian guardrails have been used since the 1940s but, in a move to declutter the environment, have now come under review with guidance being issued by a number of authorities. The reasons why excessive guardrails have been installed are examined and areas where they should be retained are identified. The guidance issued by the Department for Transport (LTN 2/09) and by Transport for London both include a procedure for carrying out the review. The example of a London Borough which recently undertook the process is described. The borough chose to use TMS Consultancy to produce comprehensive reports on individual areas and to recommend the action required. Guardrails were retained for a number of reasons: at school entrances and crossings, at pedestrian crossings, at key points on cycle routes and adjacent to high kerbs. It was recommended that at all sites where guardrails had been removed casualty data should be monitored to check that no injuries occur as a result of the removal of the rail.

Language: en