Policy information sourced from Enfield Development Managament Document (DMD)

DMD 47 Access, New Roads and Servicing

1. Non-vehicular Access

a. Provisions for pedestrians

All developments should make provision for attractive, safe, clearly defined and convenient routes and accesses for pedestrians, including those with disabilities. New pedestrian accesses, routes and footpaths are encouraged and should link with the surrounding street and public right of way networks where appropriate. Development will not be permitted where it compromises existing rights of way, unless alternatives of equivalent or greater attractiveness and convenience are provided. Gated developments will be resisted.

b. Provision for cyclists

Cycle access to new developments should be designed to ensure cycling is a realistic alternative travel choice to that of the private car. The Council will protect existing off-road routes and the alignment of proposed routes from development, unless alternatives of equivalent of greater attractiveness and convenience are proposed. Where appropriate the Council will seek the provision of segregated cycle routes to adoptable standards as part of a new development.

c. Public Transport

Applications for development should give consideration to the impact of development on public transport services. Major applications will be expected to demonstrate that existing or proposed public transport capacity can accommodate development proposals, and where necessary, identify opportunities for public transport improvements.

2. Vehicular access and servicing

New development will only be permitted if the access and road junction which serves the development is appropriately sited and is of an appropriate scale and configuration and there is no adverse impact on highway safety and the free flow of traffic. New access onto roads with a speed limit above 40mph must comply with design standards within DMRB (The Design Manual for Roads and Bridges).

New access onto all other roads must have regard to the Manual for Streets and Manual for Streets 2 or replacement publications.

New access and servicing arrangements must ensure vehicles can reach the necessary loading, servicing, and parking areas. Layouts must achieve a safe, convenient and fully accessible environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

New development will only be permitted where adequate, safe and functional provision is made for:

  • Refuse collection (using 11.0m freighters) and any other service, and delivery vehicles required to serve part of the normal functioning of the development; and
  • Emergency services vehicles (following guidance issued by the London Fire Brigade & Building Regulations); and
  • Operational needs for existing residents, visitor and user “drop-off” and “pick-up” areas (e.g. for parents at nurseries and schools) as appropriate to the functioning of the development and the safety and free-flow of traffic.

New highways should be built to adoptable design, construction, and safety standards. Should developers wish to have new roads adopted under Section 38 of The Highways Act 1980, then specific guidance is available separately. However, the Council will not necessarily adopt all highway layouts and early advice should be sought.

This policy should be read in conjunction with Core Strategy policies 24, 25, 26 and 27.

For more information please see the Development Managament Document (DMD)