Review of traffic sensitive streets

Background

We currently have a single permit scheme for work on our roads and footpaths. It means that companies carrying out work must have a permit before they do so.

As a street authority, we may designate certain streets (or parts of streets) as traffic sensitive. This means that any work on the street will have a big impact as there is a high level of use, and anyone who wants to do work on it must give a greater amount of warning and apply for a permit to get permission.

As part of that scheme, we also have to provide an up-to-date list of streets in the county that are classed as 'traffic sensitive'. The list identifies streets that are highly used by pedestrians or vehicles and helps us to understand the potential effects that any work would have on pedestrians, businesses, organisations or major events in the area. 

The Department of Transport issued reforms in May 2022 which mean we are required to change our criteria for 'traffic sensitive' streets. This means that streets which were classed as 'Winter Maintenance Route' or 'Tourist Route' will be removed, but "A roads" have been added. Statutory guidance also recommends that we review our traffic sensitive streets every two to three years. 

Traffic sensitive streets

As part of the new criteria, the categories for traffic sensitive streets will change from 1 April 2023. We must make sure our list of traffic sensitive streets is up-to-date and that they meet the new criteria.

Designation may apply to the road, pavement, both or to any part of a length of the street. It may also only apply at certain times of day, days of the week, or days of the year.

How we decide if a street is traffic sensitive

From April 2023, we will define a street as traffic sensitive if it: 

• has an estimated traffic flow of greater than 500 vehicles per hour per lane (excluding bus or cycle lanes)
• is a single lane two-way road, with a lane width of less than 6.5 metres and has a total traffic flow of more than 600 vehicles per hour
• has more than 25% heavy commercial vehicles
• has more than eight buses per hour in both directions
• is within 100 metres of an important traffic lit junction, roundabout or gyratory (complex roundabout)
• has a pedestrian flow rate of at least 1300 people per hour per metre width of pavement
• is designated as an A road

Traffic sensitive street list

We have a list of over 600 streets in the county that are classified as traffic sensitive. This is a reduction in the number of Traffic Sensitive Streets from our previous review in 2019, which had over 800 streets listed. 

Alphabetical lists

• Streets removed from list (CSV, 11 KB)
• Streets removed from list with search (Excel doc, 23 KB)
• Streets included on list (CSV, 26 KB)
• Streets included on list with search (Excel doc, 34 KB)

If you are unable to use Excel spreadsheets, please use the list documents without a search.

Have your say

We are talking to businesses, contractors and other people who carry out work that may affect the use of those roads and footpaths eg digging them up. We are particularly interested in hearing the views of local businesses, organisations and those involved in organising major events or attractions in the county. We want to know if you feel a street or area should be added to the list, why and when. Also tell us if you disagree with a designation currently on the list.

What happens next

Following the consultation your feedback will be used to update the list of sensitive streets which will be available from April 2023. The list will enable us to better manage any work on roads and pavements are heavily used.