Guidelines

Footpaths
Purpose

To provide a guide on the provision of footpaths within the City of Swan.

Guidelines

1) Requirements for Provision of Footpaths and Shared Use Paths in Road Reserves

That the location of footpaths and shared use paths be suited to prevailing traffic and verge
conditions in accordance with Table A ‘Requirements for the Provision of Footpath / Shared Use
Paths in Road Reserves’ and “Liveable Neighbourhoods” design guidelines.

See:
i) Table A ‘Requirements for the Provision of Footpaths / Shared Use Paths in Road
Reserves’ on page 3
ii) Specification 254: Segmental Paving on the City’s website
iii) Specification D9: Cycleway and pathway design on the City’s website

2) Footpaths – Subdivisional Development

The City requires 100% contribution from developers for the provision of a comprehensive
network of paths throughout subdivisional developments based on the Department for Planning
and Infrastructure’s “Liveable Neighbourhoods” design guidelines with works to be included as
part of its overall subdivision development.

As part of new subdivisions, planning for the provision of infrastructure such as footpaths is
included in the design stage of the development. The design takes into account the likely or
predicted traffic flows and provides footpaths in the area accordingly. As a result the network
contributed by the developer is considered to be sufficient for that area.

3) Footpath Replacement Programme

Priorities for replacement are identified by regular footpath condition surveys conducted by
consultants. Footpaths are given a condition ranking that ranges from 0, being “As new” through
to 10 meaning it is at the end of its useful life. A footpath condition survey should be conducted
every three years. There are also some paths identified by requests from the general public and
City officers.

4) Footpaths in Midland CBD and Guildford Heritage Area

a) Generally, within the Midland CBD brick paved footpaths are to be constructed with Midland
Brick “Pilbara Iron” or equivalent.

b) Generally, within the Guildford Heritage Area brick paved footpaths are to be constructed with
Midland Brick “Sentosa” or equivalent.

c) All shared use surfaces (including paths used by cyclists) are to be constructed in concrete or
asphalt, with red asphalt required in the Guildford Heritage Area

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5) Verge Treatments – Footpaths

All requests for paving are to be in writing and accompanied by a relevant plan.
See the verge treatment guidelines Included in the City’s Landscape Guidelines and Verge Tree
Guidelines available on the City’s website.

6) Provision of Footpaths in Rural Areas

In general providing footpaths in Rural Areas is not considered necessary due to typically low
traffic flow figures. Traffic speed and proximity to community facilities should be considered
when deciding upon construction of footpaths in Rural areas. See Table A on page 3.

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 Road Classification General Environment Description Traffic Volume Speed Recommended Footpath Width Comments
(Average Weekday Limit
Traffic) (kph) Boundary Mid Back of
Alignment Verge Kerb
Vehicles / Day (m) Alignme Alignment
nt (m) (m)
Access Place/Access Way • Access required to properties < 500 50 1.5 1.5 1.5 • Generally there are no footpath requirements
• Reduced lot sizes and road reserve widths where traffic volumes are less than 500
result in increased landscaping of verge by vehicles per day; however path widths
residents. indicated may be used adjacent to schools,
• Low traffic - low speed environment parks or other community facilities.

Access Way • Access required to properties. => 500 and < 1000 50 1.5 1.5 1.5 – 2.0 • Mid verge or kerb alignment preferred.
• Reduced lot sizes and road reserve widths • Boundary alignments are not suitable where in
result in increased landscaping of verge by proximity to buildings or they interrupt verge
residents. landscaping.

Local Distributor Road • Access generally required to properties => 1000 and < 3000 60 1.5 1.5 2.0 • Boundary or mid verge alignment preferred
• Increased road reserves and verge widths. => 3000 and < 6000 60 2.0 2.0 2.0-2.5

District Distributor Road • Limited access required to properties (access => 6000 and < 15000 60 -70 2.0 2.0 2.5 • Boundary alignment preferred
via service roads or adjacent subdivisions) • Full width verge paving may be required for
commercial locations and areas adjacent to
parking facilities.

Note:
• Footpath widths and alignments as listed are recommended minimum requirements only, however the final alignment chosen maybe governed by local physical constraints and/or road geometry.
• In areas where footpaths extend to full verge width, consideration shall be given to providing soft landscaping e.g. trees, planter boxes etc.

Table A: Requirements for the Provision of Footpaths / Shared Use Paths in Road Reserves.

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Guideline Administration
Guideline Owner
Business Unit Name Officer Title
Asset Management Manager, Asset Management
Risk Complexity Classification 2 Review Frequency Bi-annually

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