Retrospective Front Garden Parking and Access Design
Project Overview
DW Transportation was appointed to provide highway advice in support of a retrospective planning application following the creation of a front garden parking area at a residential property in Newport.
The homeowner had removed the existing front boundary wall to create vehicular access from the public highway. Our role was to assess whether the access arrangement was acceptable from a highway safety perspective and advise on the changes required to satisfy the Local Highway Authority's design requirements.
The Challenge
The homeowner's proposed arrangement utilised almost the entire property frontage as a vehicle access.
Whilst this maximised the available parking space, it created a significant highway safety issue. The proposal did not provide adequate pedestrian visibility splays, making it more difficult for drivers leaving the site to see pedestrians approaching along the footway.
In addition, the proposed access exceeded Newport City Council's preferred maximum crossover width for a residential property.
Without amendment, the proposal was unlikely to satisfy the Highway Authority's design requirements.
Our Solution
Rather than simply commenting on the client's proposal, DW Transportation developed an alternative access layout that balanced the client's parking aspirations with the requirements of the Highway Authority.
Our revised concept included:
A narrower 4.8 metre vehicle crossover in accordance with Newport City Council's guidance.
Five dropped kerbs with appropriate transition kerbs.
Pedestrian visibility splays designed to improve intervisibility between drivers and footway users.
Retention of sections of the front boundary and landscaping to frame the access.
A practical driveway layout that continued to provide off-street parking while significantly improving highway safety.
The concept sketch clearly demonstrated how the access could be redesigned to comply with recognised highway design principles whilst remaining practical for everyday use.
Added Value
This project demonstrates that achieving planning permission is not simply about maximising the width of an access.
By identifying the shortcomings of the original proposal and preparing a technically robust alternative, DW Transportation provided the client with a realistic solution that addressed highway safety concerns whilst maintaining the primary objective of creating usable off-street parking.
Although the client ultimately chose to pursue a different approach, the project illustrates the importance of obtaining independent transport planning advice before undertaking works that affect the public highway.
