With 300,000 daily commuters, the majority of whom walk between
their station or bus stop and their place of work, pedestrian
access is a vital part of the City’s infrastructure. The City of
London is responsible for some 130 km of footways and strives to
maintain them to a very high standard.
For areas of high visual importance the City of London uses York
Stone flagstones, each of which weighs approximately 110kg. See our
pages on the
Street Scene challenge for details of the improvements we are
making. For other areas mastic asphalt is used. All footways are
inspected at least once a month but if you discover a problem,
please report it using our
online reporting
facility.
Obstructions
Because of the importance we attach to maintaining pedestrian
access we try hard to ensure that footways are not obstructed.
Obstruction can be caused by:
- Parking on pavements - There is a London-wide ban at all times
on vehicles parking on any part of the footway over which
pedestrians have access. This ban applies irrespective of the
ownership of the land concerned. To report a vehicle parked on a
pavement, call our Parking Helpline, 020 7332 3310.
- Scaffolding and Hoardings – The City of London carefully
regulates scaffolding and hoardings which affect public highways or
footways by means of licences
(apply online) and encourages
contractors to be members of its
Considerate Contractor Scheme. Use our
fault reporting facility
to report a problem or if you wish to express an opinion about a
construction site, use the online
feedback form for the Considerate Contractors Scheme.
- Tables and Chairs – the use of footways by cafés and
restaurants is also regulated by licence. If you experience a
problem please email
plans@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
- Other obstructions such as signboards – if you have a problem,
please email
Highways.Management@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Dropped kerbs
A dropped kerb is for pedestrian use, for example to enable
disabled access across a road. Where this is not possible or where
other considerations apply carriageways are raised to enable
pedestrians to cross the carriageway with ease.
To speak to someone regarding a dropped kerb please contact the
City of London's Access Team on 020 7332 1995 or by email
access@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
Apply for a
dropped kerb online.
Dropped crossovers
A dropped crossover is to allow vehicular access across a pathway,
though this particular type of access is not encouraged.
Crossovers for new developments are dealt with at the planning
stage and enquiries should be made to the Planning Department on
their general number 020 7332 1710. Temporary crossovers are agreed
with the Highways section of the Department of Environmental
Services which is covered in the guidance note.
Download the Guidance Note for Activities on the
Public Highway in the City of
London here (368kb)
The requirements for dropped crossings are regularly monitored
by the City of London's Access Officer and through regular meetings
between the Highways section and the Access Group.
Apply for a
dropped crossover online.