PERCIVAL WAY PEDESTRIAN CROSSING, LUTON AIRPORT

PROJECT

We were appointed by Ryebridge Construction on behalf of London Luton Airport (LLA) to undertake a series of transport planning and infrastructure design services related to the existing highways within the ownership of LLA. Primarily, this has related to highway safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

APPROACH

Our work included a detailed pedestrian audit of the existing roads to identify any existing highway defects and safety concerns. It also examined pedestrian desire lines and wayfinding issues, identifying the need for new or improved infrastructure such as pedestrian crossings and footways.

A specific need was previously identified by LLA for a new signalised pedestrian crossing and footway on Percival Way to accommodate the desire line of pedestrians travelling towards the terminal from staff car parks. We undertook both preliminary and detailed design for the proposed crossing works, supported by Stage 1 and Stage 2 Road Safety Audits respectively. This was complicated by the presence of wig-wag signals that are in place to allow large fuel tankers to access the airport, and a key item raised in the Road Safety Audits was to ensure that these are carefully considered to ensure that conflicting signals are not provided.

OUTCOME.

The construction of the crossing and footway was completed, following which a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit was carried out in February 2020, with only minor road safety issues raised. All Road Safety Audits were carried out by our independent team of Road Safety Auditors, fully qualified in accordance with DMRB GG119.