2-Way Driveway which Starts Wide then Goes Narrow

[harry_angel]

Hi all, we are considering purchasing our neighbour's house to create a 2-way entrance to our site.

 

My question: supposing there were 8 - 12 dwellings on the site, would a partial in-out such as this be acceptable?

 

ie one that starts 2-lane but narrows to 1 lane?

[ProDave]

Most single track roads widen to 2 track at a junction so a car waiting to exit the single track road does not block another car trying to enter the single track road.  You would appear to be achieving something similar so it looks like a positive move if you can achieve it.

[harry_angel]

Cheers @ProDave - so in your view it's not an issue dictated by volume of housing or anything like that.

 

I mean, it's a 3 acre plot in green belt, so mass overdevelopment is never going to happen.

 

But at what point in terms of volume of properties do the planners say: "ok, this is too many properties to be accessing via a partial two-lane entrance?"

[Mr Punter]

Plenty of single track lanes about.  If visibility is OK should not be an issue.  You don't want to be getting a little way along then having to reverse.

[Bonner]

In our planning approval the Highway authority stipulated the first 10m of driveway must be wide enough for two vehicles to prevent cars having to stop, or reverse into the main road. The driveway serves three properties.

[ProDave]

I am not sure what the rules are where you are, but up here you can only have 5 dwellings from a private track. More than that and you are expected to surface the road to highway standard and it is then adopted.

[harry_angel]

Thanks @Bonner very helpful/interesting. And @ProDave

 

If we purchased and demolished the neighbouring property (they are keen) the driveway (it's long) pre plot properly opening up would go:

 

• Main road then turn in to 
• 33m of 2-lane
• 16m of 1-lane
• plot opens up to full 2 lane

 

Proposed number of dwellings in this case would probably be sub-10, but is maybe less relevant to such an access being deemed acceptable in the first place, as we are in green belt and the other neighbours will go thermo-nuclear about it.

 

What do we think?

 

10 houses, with an access like this, in the south east of England? Btw would all be tarmac'd properly, the 16m already is.

 

 

[gravelrash]

above 5 properties you would be expected as a minimum to provide 4.8m plus footpath along full length. Most highways would push for 5.5m plus 2m foot path as you need access for a Bin lorry/ Fire engine and provide a turning point.

[harry_angel]

On 13/05/2021 at 16:06, gravelrash said:

above 5 properties you would be expected as a minimum to provide 4.8m plus footpath along full length. Most highways would push for 5.5m plus 2m foot path as you need access for a Bin lorry/ Fire engine and provide a turning point.

 

Many thanks for the insight, much appreciated @gravelrash