Highways Access, Manchester

This highways access report and design project for outline planning permission conducted in Radcliffe, Manchester, was a comprehensive undertaking that involved several components aimed at ensuring a thorough examination of the proposed development's impact on local infrastructure.

Outline planning applications serve a fundamental purpose in the development process; they are designed to provide developers and local authorities with a preliminary understanding of whether the proposed nature of a development is acceptable within the context of local planning policies. By facilitating early discussions about the viability of a project, outline planning applications help to identify any significant issues that may arise, thus allowing for adjustments to be made before a full planning application is submitted. This proactive approach can ultimately save time and resources, ensuring that projects are well-aligned with community needs and regulatory requirements from the outset.

The process began with a detailed site visit, which allowed our team to assess the physical characteristics of the area, including existing road layouts, traffic patterns, and the general environment surrounding the proposed development site. This initial assessment was crucial for identifying potential challenges and opportunities related to road safety, accessibility, and overall site functionality.

In this specific case, the area surrounding the proposed development site was characterised by limited parking availability, which posed a challenge for both residents and visitors. Recognising the potential for increased traffic and parking congestion, our team was engaged not only to design a suitable access point for the development but also to carefully consider the implications of this access on the local community. Our goal was to ensure that the proposed access would be efficient for the development's users while minimising any inconvenience or disruption to the nearby residents, thereby fostering a harmonious relationship between the new project and the existing neighborhood.

To achieve this, we employed Computer Aided Design (CAD) software to design the access point. This technology allowed us to create precise and scalable representations of the proposed infrastructure, enabling us to visualise and analyse various design scenarios effectively. Additionally, we conducted a swept path analysis for vehicles, which is a critical component of the design process. This analysis involved simulating the movement of different vehicle types—such as cars, delivery vans, and larger vehicles—through the proposed access point to ensure that they could navigate the space safely and efficiently without encroaching on adjacent areas or causing traffic delays. By integrating these analyses into our design, we aimed to optimize the access point's functionality while maintaining a high standard of road safety for all users.