NSC5 PUBLIC REALM AND STREET FURNITURE
Key Principles
1. All areas must be designed so as to give them a clear spatial definition for all users using materials and layouts in ways which aid wayfinding and create a sense of clarity and confidence.
2. Wherever street furniture is used, free and unobstructed access along natural desire lines must always be provided. It must be grouped in clearly understood spatial patterns that reflect the needs of sensory and cognitively impaired users.
Design Criteria
General
* A clear change in level must always be provided between pedestrian and vehicular areas, following the “step down to danger” principle. 
* A contrasting colour should be used on either the carriageway or footway surface to distinguish between the two. Alternatively, a contrasting coloured kerb may be considered.
* Tactile paving must always be used at any vehicular crossing point.
Paving materials
* All paving on pedestrian routes must be smooth and avoid the use of setts or heavily riven materials.
* Joints on any paving units must be close bonded with a maximum gap of 5mm.
* Individual units must avoid the use of chamfered or tumbled edges.
Street Furniture
* The design of any equipment must be sympathetic to disabled pedestrians who may frequently find the need to physically explore objects to identify them or who may inadvertently come into contact with them.
* All equipment should be at least 1m high and solid from the ground to the lowest edge, avoiding any projections below 2.4m high
* Equipment should be located in groups, or located at the back or front edge of footways. No exception should be made for statutory services.
* Use should be made of poles etc. as a location for more than one item of equipment, e.g. litter bins and signs.
* The use of bollards should be avoided wherever possible and only used where there is clear evidence of a need and other design solutions are not available.
* Any bollard should be at least 1m high and have:
1. A smooth shape, with no angular edges,
2. A contrasting, coloured band at least 150mm wide at the top,
3. Its overall colour must contrast with the surrounding footway.
4. It must not be linked to others by chains, rope etc.

* Seats should be provided with armrests, backs and spaces alongside them to allow a wheelchair user to sit alongside an ambulant companion. 
Street cafes and shop displays
Any tables, chairs or other displays associated with cafes uses, including menus and freestanding advertising boards, must be located wholly within clearly defined areas and away from natural desire lines. They must be bounded by a solid enclosure consisting of:
1. A barrier at least 1m high with a rigid feature eg a rail, at heights of both 100 mm and 1200 mm.
2. Uprights whose feet do not protrude and would otherwise obstruct pedestrians or café users
3. No chains or ropes etc linking any uprights.

In addition cafes must provide:
4. Access to main café entrance and any facilities eg toilets etc (see Cross References)
5. Aisles at least 1m wide between tables etc when in use

It is recommended shop forecourt displays follow the same guidelines.
Other Issues
Alternatives to bollards are commercially available to deter the ram-raiding of commercial premises. These should be considered rather than a person with an impairment being disabled by the design of an entrance. 

There may be cases where equipment will need to be placed in a location that is difficult for a visually impaired person to identify, or is simply unexpected. Where this occurs, a change in the surrounding surface material and its colour must be considered to identify its position. However this should not be seen as the normal design rule.

Further information is available in the Department of Transport publication “Guidance on Best Practice in providing Accessible Environments and Transport Related Infrastructure”. (Copies can be accessed at www.mobility-unit.dtlr.uk )
Cross References 
NSC4 Pedestrian Routes
NSC15 Communication and Information (includes details of Signposting and Wayfinding).