Regulation path width for wheelchairs

Hi all, can anyone shed some light on this, as have been asked if this is required for a concrete path to go around a church and felt a regulation width may be required.

cheers for any help

Tags: camber, gradient, non-slip, surfaces, width

Views: 2548

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion


Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jackson's Landscape Design on March 16, 2010 at 20:09
A width of 1.2m is the minimum for wheelchair use, with 1.7m allowing two wheelchairs to pass.
Permalink Reply by Andy Woodason on March 16, 2010 at 20:14
Hi Kerry,
Many thanks, this has confirmed what I believed to be correct.

Kerry Jackson said:
A width of 1.2m is the minimum for wheelchair use, with 1.7m allowing two wheelchairs to pass.

Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jackson's Landscape Design on March 16, 2010 at 20:17
Your welcome,

if possible always allow a little extra just to be on the safe side

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on March 16, 2010 at 20:37
From my My little Blue Pocket Book, it suggests ;

.8m for 1 wheelchair with attendant
.9m for 1 motorised wheelchair
1.2m for 2 wheelchairs with attendants
1.8m for 2 motorised wheelchairs

Hope that helps...

See attached..
Attachments:

Pro DesignerPermalink Reply by Jackson's Landscape Design on March 16, 2010 at 20:41
Path width

Selected popular paths should be sufficiently wide for wheelchair and other disabled use. A width of 1.2m is the minimum for wheelchair use, with 1.7m allowing two wheelchairs to pass, or walkers to comfortably pass a wheelchair user. Some elderly walkers, the visually impaired or disabled walkers need the support of an able person beside them, and like to feel they are not holding up other walkers behind them. All users are likely to feel more comfortable and less threatened on a wide path with unenclosed edges. Family and other groups are more likely to use paths where there is room to walk side by side.

Where revetment on slopes, surfacing or other construction is necessary, costs may rise with increasing path width. However, it is not usually sensible to cut costs by reducing path width. If construction or surfacing is considered necessary, at least side by side or two-way pedestrian use should be provided for, which means a minimum width of 1.2m. Where the site is suitable and resources are available, a path of 2m will not seem too wide. This is the width of a rural cart-track, feels comfortable and inviting for family groups and others to walk, and allows a range of uses. Wider paths also allow machine construction, which is very much quicker than using manual labour. It may be cost-effective to use a machine to make a wider path, rather than using voluntary labour to construct a narrower path. Some sites will have their own sources of hard-core, subsoil or other material which, with suitable machinery, can be used for path construction. Reclaimed road surfacing material may be available cheaply. Once construction is complete, vehicle use can be prevented by barriers at entrance points.

The treatment of the path edges is important. Where the site is suitable and the maintenance funds available, mown grass is the best option. This itself produces a reasonably hard-wearing surface which can be used as an overspill. It also keeps sight lines open so reducing fear of crime, and prevents loss of path width due to encroaching vegetation. Keep shrub, hedge and tree planting well back from the path, leaving an edge of at least 2m. Any nearer than this, and frequent pruning will be needed.

The diagram below shows some of the recommended widths for pedestrian, wheelchair and cycle use. Note that shared pedestrian and cycle use on a 2m width path is only suitable where cycle use is light and overspill onto the verge is possible. Signs or a 'white line' will be needed to indicate which side cyclists must keep to. Most paths for shared cycle and pedestrian use should be at least 3m wide. For full details see The National Cycle Network: Guidelines and Practical Details Issue 2, Sustrans (1997).


Courtesy of the online Urban Handbook

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Gary RK on March 16, 2010 at 20:57
Should have mentioned source of info;

RICS Blue Architect's Pocket Book
&
RICS Green Landscape Architect's Pocket Book

PRO MemberPermalink Reply by Phil Voice on February 20, 2013 at 10:54

I just wanted to bump this topic to the top to demonstrate how well viewed it is, despite there not being any activity for nearly three years.

Someone is searching for this information;-0)

See also Sensory Trust for concise gradient and camber regulations etc.

Permalink Reply by Nix on February 26, 2013 at 13:42

Regardless of the regulations, its is good to have an awareness of the potential access for all in a garden. Great to see this being discussed here! :)

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

What's hot this week? 

1 I'm going to be a dad again.

I'm going to be a dad again.
2 Concrete Slab (shed base)

Concrete Slab (shed base)
3 Raise the horticulture minimum wage for the sake of the industry and its practitioners

Raise the horticulture minimum wage for the sake of the industry and its practitioners
4 What is the 'low price' point for domestic equipment?

What is the 'low price' point for domestic equipment?
5 Theft Warning of tools, plant & equipment....

Theft Warning of tools, plant & equipment....

© 2013   Landscape Juice ® Limited - Registered in England 08356644

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service