Jamie Elliott - Embracing Inclusivity in Roadworks: The Three-Tier Assessment Approach

Working in Marketing, I don't often get the chance to step onto a construction site. So, when I was invited to take part in a Three-Tier Assessment, I jumped at the opportunity to see firsthand how inclusivity is integrated into roadworks. This experience opened my eyes to the significant challenges faced by many road users, especially those with disabilities.

Around 16 million people in the UK—about 24% of the population—live with disabilities. This includes long-term illnesses, disabilities, or impairments. Yet, roadworks often lack the flexibility and consideration needed to accommodate the diverse needs of all road users. This oversight can significantly impact cyclists and vulnerable pedestrian groups, including the elderly, visually impaired individuals, wheelchair users, parents with buggies, and individuals on the autistic spectrum. As a result, many people find themselves unable to navigate their own communities comfortably.

Fortunately, Transport for London’s Network Management team has developed the Three-Tier Assessment concept to ensure that people who face barriers to access are considered when temporary road layouts are designed and delivered. This approach allows us to understand, address, and improve the situation by actively engaging stakeholders to enhance their awareness, helping us learn about the needs of people of all abilities, and ultimately make changes to remove barriers to access.

How It Works

To see how this concept works in practice, let's break down the Three-Tier Assessment:

1. Tier 1: Pre-Design
   • Focus groups walk worksites with contractors and the highway authority to identify daily barriers to access
2. Tier 2: Design Based on Feedback
   • New designs are created and delivered considering feedback from the insights from Tier 1
3. Tier 3: During Construction
   • Focus groups return to the worksite during construction to provide feedback on the implemented designs and suggest improvements. This ensures the roadworks continue to evolve to enhance the experience and safety of all users

Rethinking Roadworks

As I mentioned, I recently had the chance to attend a Tier 1 Assessment at an FM Conway site in Westminster. This assessment was part of a collaborative effort involving teams from Westminster Council, FM Conway, Grosvenor Estates, WSP, and Transport for London, in which we navigated the existing traffic management of the site, reviewing it for accessibility.

The session was led by Michael Barratt MBE, who is the Construction, Advisory & Innovations Manager at Transport for London. He was a great host and posed intriguing questions, using fun and engaging techniques such as putting us in the shoes of those facing barriers to access. He then went on to highlight key assessment elements such as footpath widths, road sign readability, and the impact of lighting on safe navigation, prompting us to consider elements of the road network that we likely take for granted when navigating the street.

I found this to be an eye-opening experience and one that highlighted often-overlooked challenges faced by individuals with mobility, visual, and hearing impairments, as well as those who are neurodivergent. For instance, I observed how even small obstacles like uneven surfaces or poorly placed signage can significantly impact someone using a wheelchair or a parent pushing a buggy, either restricting their access to the footpath or forcing them into the road. It may seem like a small issue for a lot of people, but for others, it can have a massive impact.

Following the session, we then gathered to review our collective thoughts on the site. The feedback from everyone involved was invaluable, and it provided great real-world insights that are often missed in standard design practices—some of these insights were even able to be implemented to improve the site as we walked around!

At the end, Michael also highlighted the White Ribbon Campaign—a global movement to end violence against women and girls and promote gender equity. The campaign's focus on safety and inclusivity links to roadwork design—for example, improving street lighting and creating safe zones around construction areas can enhance safety and prevent harassment. As a man, I recognise the privilege of not having to consider these safety concerns regularly, but I want to acknowledge these issues and be an ally in creating safer, more inclusive environments.

Overall, it was a real thought-provoking experience which helped me to better understand the importance of considering inclusivity, not only in roadworks, but in simple, day-to-day activities.

The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, it's clear to me that the Three-Tiered Approach is a powerful tool for enhancing safety and inclusivity, evidenced by its growing integration into multiple TfL and FM Conway projects.

Roadworks often follow standard approaches via the Red Book Code of Practice, but this assessment establishes a collaborative approach that embraces the challenges people face when navigating roadworks and works with them to understand and develop inclusive solutions.

As a business, FM Conway often works during times when many Londoners are on the move, so it is vital that we do not negatively impact them. By incorporating initiatives like this and involving diverse groups in the assessment process, we can continually improve our delivery of works, ensuring that we consider how it affects everyone around us, and ultimately leave a positive impact on our communities.

The next time you are walking the street, I encourage you to reflect on your own community and consider how inclusive it is for all members. Let's work together to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for everyone!