5.9 Turning Heads

In new developments, turning heads should be avoided as far as is practical.

In the first instance, street networks should be designed to be permeable with no dead ends or cul-de-sacs.

Streets can be filtered to prevent through traffic, with access given to refuse and emergency vehicles only.

Short dead-end streets, such as mews, can be permitted without a turning head where distances are agreed for fire and bin lorries.

The layout of the street should not be dictated by refuse or fire but an agreement reached on each specific situation with Surrey County Council.

Where turning heads are unavoidable, they must be designed as attractive courtyards that provide appropriate turning space. This should be assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering fire regulations and refuse vehicle characteristics.

The parking arrangements for these courtyards should be adequate to ensure that the turning area can be kept free of parked vehicles.

Figure 5-11: Turning head should be designed to relate to the surrounding built form, incorporate parking and where possible, street trees (Credit - Create Streets, images adapted from A Policy Statement for Scotland, Designing Streets 2010)

Figure 5-12: Truro, Cornwall. Example of a turning head designed in such a manner. (Credit - Andy Cameron)