Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer public spaces - updated guidance

people movement

pedestrian space

signage

Remind pedestrians of distance requirements. This could be through spray markings and signage at entrances and movement intersections.

restaurants/cafes/eateries

Allow restaurants/cafes/ eateries to occupy carriageways/on-street parking bays for external service. A balanced approach to the use of space should be taken in order to maintain appropriate areas for public activities and to ensure any additional seating does not clutter or reduce space for physical distancing and disadvantaging disabled people.

maintenance

Provide additional cleaning regime and maintenance.

pedestrian movement

distance

Maintain 2m (6ft) distancing, if appropriate, for pedestrians.

entry/exits

Provide separate entry and exit routes for pedestrian access with clear signs (i.e. creating one-way directions).

signage

• Courtesy - Encourage pedestrians to wait and allow others to pass at entryways or along footpaths.
• Signs on physical distancing and circulation - Particularly at conflict points such as junctions and crossings.
• Limit queue length - Help manage multiple queues and pedestrian flows.

pedestrian corridor

Aim to have a pedestrian corridor that is free of obstacles with access to dropped kerbs and tactile paving provided where required. This will help disabled people to navigate and maintain physical distancing.

traffic signals

Alterations to traffic signal times and phases to give greater priority to pedestrians.

unobstructed routes

A clear, unobstructed route should be maintained for pedestrians on existing footways, with particular consideration given to the requirements of those with wheeling and mobility needs, visual impairment or other disabilities. The need for special consideration with regard to avoiding negative impacts upon disabled people also applies to the provision of external restaurant service.

queuing

needs of different groups

Consider the needs of individuals with disabilities and older people who may not be able to stand for long in the provision for queuing.

defined areas

Create defined areas to indicate where pedestrians should stand when queuing using spray markings or temporary barriers.

management of multiple queues

• Different businesses - Where there are different businesses adjacent to each other, clear signage and marshals should be used, as appropriate.
• Space - Allow space where multiple queues meet.

"Do not join the queue" signs

Provide at popular destinations, when capacity reached.

marshals

Consider the use of marshals to help manage queues and pedestrian flows.

bus stops

Provide signs reminding users to physically distance at bus stop waiting areas.

collaborate

Work with your local authority or landlord to take into account the impact of your queues or other processes on public spaces such as high streets and public car parks.

transport movement

traffic management

traffic lanes

These could be either be (1) closed (2) made one way or (3) completely pedestrianised. Links to further guidance can be found in the Appendix.

temporary parking areas

Depending on circumstances, it may be advantageous for temporary car parking areas to be located at the edge of town centres and busy areas. This may help to disperse traffic from busy areas, reduce the impact of the loss of car parking due to footway enlargement, and allow the prioritisation of car parking for disabled people within town centres.

delivery times

Phase delivery timings in loading bays.

new road layouts

Provide signage to inform pedestrians and road users of changes to road layouts.

cycleways

Introduce new cycleways and temporary bike parking.

safety

Ensure appropriate safety measures are in place for clear segregation between traffic lanes, cycleways and pedestrian footways.

transport hubs

• Develop a zonal plan for station hubs, highlighting destinations, conflict zones and desire lines.
• Provide queue marking indicators and barriers outside main entrance.
• Allow space where multiple queues meet.
• Identify waiting zones.
• Provide signs on physical distancing and circulation.
• Taxi, bus, cycle and pick-up to have waiting zones with identified routes through.
• Consider reallocation of station forecourt to provide more space for interchange.
• Consider appointment of marshals to help manage the flow of people into, and out of, transport hubs.

pedestrianisation

Pedestrianise and consider impact on traffic movement.

people movement

pedestrian space

widen footways

Widen to accommodate distancing between pedestrians, including the use of temporary barriers in the carriageway; changes to parking bays, loading bays and relocating cycle lanes.

pedestrian movement

access

Maximise/enlarge access to entry and exit routes to minimise queues.

transport movement

traffic management

people with disabilities

The impact of measures on people with disabilities and other groups needs to be kept under consideration. This includes access for blue badge holders and may call for a balanced approach.

deliveries/street works

Consider the need for delivery access and essential access for street works and maintenance.

parking

Consider car parking layout and spacing, reducing capacity if appropriate.

crossings

Ensure safe, level crossing points.

seating

Ensure seating areas for the disabled and older people.

use existing street furniture

Use existing street furniture (e.g. lamp-posts) for signage to avoid impacting on pedestrian flows.

transport hubs

Maximise access and introduce one-way entry and exit points.

people movement

pedestrian space

street clutter

Remove or relocate unnecessary obstacles, for example planters, and add markings/tape on seating to maintain physical distancing.

pedestrian movement

bus stops/shelters

Move bus stops/shelters to areas which can accommodate queuing in line with physical distancing requirements.

transport movement

traffic management

parking layout

Consider car parking layout and spacing, reducing capacity if appropriate.

on street parking

Potential to suspend on-street parking to facilitate other measures whilst taking account of any accessible parking bay needs.

pinch points

Minimise pinch points, whilst taking into consideration security and the needs of the disabled and older people.

traffic speeds

Reduce traffic speeds using traffic calming measures.

Pedestrian space

signage

Place signs on physical distancing and circulation, particularly at entrances and conflict points, such as junctions & crossings.

queue markings

Show queue marking indicators at main entrance, popular park destinations and toilets.

marshals

Marshals to help manage queues & pedestrian flows.

pedestrian, cycle and wheeled movement

one way

One-way movement of pedestrians to maintain 2m (6ft) distancing.

signage

Signage to encourage pedestrians to wait/step aside to allow others to pass at entryways or along footpaths.

entry and exits

Provide separate entry and exit routes for pedestrian access with clear signs.

queuing

defined areas

Create defined areas to indicate where pedestrians should stand when queuing, using spray markings or temporary barriers.

"Do not join the queue" signs

Provide at popular destinations, when capacity reached.

traffic management

traffic lanes

These could be either be (1) closed (2) made one-way or (3) completely pedestrianised.

pedestrian space

footway widening

• Within parks - Accommodate distancing between pedestrians, including through the use of temporary barriers, changes to parking bays, and cycle lanes. This may include the use of grassed areas adjacent to existing paths to increase circulation space and requires appropriate maintenance of all accessible areas. Ensure that these are accessible for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs.
• On approach streets - To main entrance of parks.

street furniture

Use existing street furniture for signage to avoid impacting on pedestrian flows.

seating

Add markings/tape on seating to maintain physical distancing.

maintenance

Provide additional cleaning regime and maintenance.

pedestrian, cycle and wheeled movement

entry and exits

Enlarge entrances and exits to minimise queues.

crossings

Ensure safe level crossing points to access park.

traffic management

deliveries

Consider the need for delivery access and timing. Plus, essential access for street works and maintenance, taking into account noise/disturbance issues for local residents, where possible.

pedestrian space

planters

Remove unnecessary obstacles, for example planters, and add markings/tape on seating to maintain physical distancing.

traffic management

parking

• Layouts - Consider car parking layouts and spacing, reducing capacity as appropriate.
• On street - On street parking could be suspended to facilitate other measures.

traffic speed

Reduce traffic speed around parks.

pinch points

Minimise pinch points, whilst taking into consideration security and the needs of the disabled and older people.

new

retail/ commercial areas and buildings

building frontages

Provide queue marking indicators on pedestrian areas, focusing queues along the building frontage, where appropriate.

building entrances

Keep building entrances and footpaths clear, whilst taking account of the needs of the disabled, older people and security considerations.

phasing

• Phase access and opening times.

queue markings

• Place queue marking indicators and barriers outside main entrance.
• Provide queue markings for street stalls.
• Provide queue marking indicators outside office entrances.

one way

Create one-way circulation for street markets.

deliveries

Phase delivery timings in loading bays.

waiting zones

Identify waiting zones.

signage

• Provide signs and information at widened entry and exit points for markets.
• Provide signs on physical distancing and circulation.
• Provide signs to limit queue length.

public toilets

Provide signs at public toilets for queuing, physical distancing and automatic sanitising. Toilets should only open with careful risk management and mitigations to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

outdoor markets

Outdoor markets should be planned and set-up to allow for 2m (6ft) physical distancing, spacing between stalls, queuing and the safe flow of people along with appropriate hygiene measures.

improve

retail/ commercial areas & buildings

access

Maximise access and introduce one-way entry and exit points.

forecourt space

Consider relocation of station forecourt to provide more space for interchange.

footways

Widen footways by utilising the carriageway.

new

digital

digital tools

Owners/operators may want to consider the use of data and digital tools to make it easier for people to maintain physical distancing. Plus, to aid decision-making regarding the management and modification of spaces.

availability of data

Consider making data available that shows the current footfall of spaces, especially those places that are prone to overcrowding. Access to data and digital tools will allow people to more effectively plan their journeys and choose alternative spaces, or use spaces, at other times of day.

monitoring use of spaces

Owners/operators should consider using data and digital tools to monitor the usage of spaces, and to make modifications to the access (and use of those spaces) as required.

Plan for changing uses

Data and digital tools may be needed to anticipate and plan for the changing use of public places over time. They can also be used to predict and mitigate the potential for overcrowding at certain sites during peak usage times. Necessary corrective measures can be taken to make it easier for people to physically distance.

inclusive and accessible formats

The communication of information relating to changes in transport and infrastructure needs to be in an inclusive and accessible format and widely circulated. Disability Equality Scotland hosts both the inclusive communication hub which shares information on accessible information, and the Accessible Travel Hub that has been liaising with providers to ensure the latest travel information is available for disabled travellers.

improve

e-booking systems

Consider how existing e-booking systems can be utilised to support the effective capacity management of public spaces, such as outdoor sports courts and provide key guidance for usage.