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Education

8.5.1 Approach, Car Parking and Setting Down

Pedestrian Approach

Approach routes to a school should be distinct and well signposted for pedestrian users. The approach should be well lit and surfaced with material that does not impede movement, is well maintained and slip-resistant, and helps inform about direction of movement.

In the majority of cases, the school will have no control over the construction or maintenance of approach routes outside the boundaries of the school. It is recommended, however, that as part of the Planning Duty, the approach routes should be assessed. Where improvements could be made, an approach should be made to the Local Highway Authority to carry out the work.

Design criteria and critical dimensions for footpaths, street furniture, dropped kerbs, and tactile surfaces can be found in the associated fact sheets within this Code of Practice. see 5.1 Footways and Footpaths, 5.4 Dropped kerb detail at Pedestrian Crossing and 5.6 Tactile Paving

Vehicular Approach and Car Parking

Please refer also to fact sheets 5.15 Car Parking and 5.16 Car Parking Dimensions

Approach routes to a school should be distinctly signposted and there should be clearly indicated and signed car-parking provision for disabled drivers. Control gates or barriers should not form an impediment to disabled drivers. See 5.15 Car Parking

Spaces should be sited as close as possible to the main entrance and should be clearly indicated from the entrance to the car park. The route from the allocated spaces to the principal entrance should be level or suitably ramped.

In some instances, little or no parking will be available on the school site. If this is the case the Local Authority should be approached to provide on street parking for disabled people as close to the school entrance as possible. See 5.16 Car Parking Dimensions

Setting Down Points

If feasible, a designated setting down point suitable for disabled passengers should be provided on firm and level ground, close to the principal entrance to the building. This is particularly relevant if little or no car parking is available.

The location of a setting down point should be clearly indicated. The surface of the footway, alongside a setting down point, should be level with the carriageway at that point, to allow convenient transfer onto and from a wheelchair.

If possible, a setting down point should be covered to provide protection from the weather.

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