Practical, director-led highway design solutions supporting residential, commercial, and public sector infrastructure projects.
AJF Engineering Consultants is a leading North West based civil and structural engineering firm, offering a refreshing, client-focused service across the UK. Our team of Chartered engineers specialises in delivering comprehensive highway design services that ensure seamless connectivity for new developments. We combine extensive experience in both private and adoptable schemes to deliver infrastructure that is safe, compliant with local authority standards, and practical to construct.
Highway infrastructure is often the first interaction users have with a development, and its design is critical to the project’s overall success and safety. At AJF Engineering, we focus on clarity and practicality. We develop highway layouts that meet rigorous technical requirements without introducing unnecessary complexity. Our early engagement with local highway authorities helps to identify potential hurdles at the outset, streamlining the approvals process and reducing risk to your programme. Whether you require a simple access road for a private housing scheme or complex junction improvements under a Section 278 agreement, our in-house experts manage every aspect of the design to ensure a smooth path to construction.
Learn more about our team of chartered engineers and the values that drive our work.
Get in touch with us today by calling 0151 374 0545 or emailing us at info@ajfengineering.co.uk to discuss a project.
Our Comprehensive Highway Design Services
At AJF Engineering, we provide a full spectrum of highway design services tailored to the specific needs of developers, contractors, and public sector bodies. We support projects from initial feasibility and planning right through to detailed design and construction. By keeping our design work in-house, we ensure full coordination with drainage and civil engineering elements, delivering a holistic infrastructure package that works efficiently on site.
Private and Adoptable Highway Design
Navigating the distinction between private and adoptable infrastructure is key to a successful development. We provide clear, compliant designs for both scenarios.
- Adoptable Highways (Section 38): We design new estate roads intended for adoption by the Local Highway Authority. Our designs comply strictly with local standards and the Manual for Streets, ensuring a smooth adoption process and minimising future maintenance liabilities for developers.
- Private Access Roads: For developments where roads will remain private, we design robust and cost-effective access solutions that prioritise functionality and durability while meeting necessary planning conditions and building regulations.
- Industrial and Commercial Access: We design heavy-duty pavements and access routes tailored to the specific traffic loading and operational requirements of commercial and industrial sites.
Section 278 Junction Improvements
Works within the existing public highway require rigorous approval processes under Section 278 of the Highways Act. We have extensive experience in securing these agreements.
- Junction Design: We design safe and efficient junctions, from simple priority T-junctions to complex roundabouts and signalised intersections, ensuring they integrate seamlessly with the existing network.
- Technical Approval Management: We handle the entire technical approval process, liaising directly with the Local Highway Authority to agree on design parameters, construction details, and traffic management strategies.
- Safety Audits: We coordinate Road Safety Audits (Stage 1, 2, 3, and 4) to ensure all designs meet national safety standards and address any potential hazards early in the process.
Visibility Splay Assessments
Ensuring adequate visibility is a fundamental safety requirement for any new access point. We provide detailed assessments to support planning applications and technical approvals.
- Speed Surveys: We commission and analyse speed surveys to determine appropriate visibility splays based on actual vehicle speeds rather than just speed limits.
- Splay Calculation: Using the latest guidance from the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and Manual for Streets, we calculate and plot required visibility splays (X and Y distances) to demonstrate safe ingress and egress.
- Site Constraints: We work creatively within site boundaries to achieve compliant visibility, sometimes negotiating with neighbouring landowners or authorities to clear obstructions.
Vehicle Tracking and Swept Path Analysis
Confirming that vehicles can manoeuvre safely within a site is essential for functional design. We use industry-standard software to simulate vehicle movements.
- Swept Path Analysis: We produce detailed tracking drawings demonstrating that refuse wagons, fire appliances, delivery trucks, and cars can navigate the site safely.
- Layout Optimisation: We use tracking data to refine road widths and turning heads, ensuring we don’t over-design infrastructure while guaranteeing it remains fit for purpose.
- Parking Justification: We demonstrate that car parking layouts work effectively, allowing for safe entry and exit from spaces even in constrained areas.
Pedestrian and Cycle Infrastructure
Modern developments must prioritise sustainable travel modes. We design infrastructure that encourages walking and cycling.
- Active Travel Design: We integrate high-quality footways, cycle lanes, and shared surfaces into our highway designs, aligning with the latest government guidance on active travel (LTN 1/20).
- Crossing Facilities: We design safe crossing points, including zebra, pelican, and toucan crossings, ensuring connectivity between the development and the wider community.
- Accessibility: All our pedestrian infrastructure is designed to be fully accessible, incorporating tactile paving, dropped kerbs, and appropriate gradients to support users with reduced mobility.
Pavement and Kerbing Design
The longevity of a road depends on what lies beneath the surface. We provide detailed specifications for highway construction.
- Pavement Specification: We design road, footway, and cycleway build-ups tailored to ground conditions and anticipated traffic loading, ensuring durability and cost-efficiency.
- Kerbing and Edging: We detail appropriate kerbing solutions, from standard highway kerbs to conservation-style edging for sensitive heritage sites.
- Surfacing Choices: We advise on surfacing materials that balance aesthetic requirements with long term performance and maintenance considerations.
Street Furniture and Ancillary Works
A complete highway design includes all the necessary furniture and systems to make the road safe and usable.
- Signage and Lining: We produce detailed signage and road marking schedules in accordance with the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD).
- Vehicle Restraint Systems: We assess the need for and design safety barriers and restraint systems (VRS) to protect road users and adjacent properties.
- Fencing and Boundaries: We detail highway boundary treatments that clearly define the extent of the adoptable highway and secure the development.
Our Approach: Precision, Safety, and Collaboration
At AJF Engineering, we believe that successful highway design is about more than just drawing lines on a plan. It requires a strategic approach that balances technical compliance with commercial reality.
Director-Led Engagement: Our directors oversee every highway project, ensuring that high-level strategic decisions regarding access and adoption are made correctly from the start. This prevents costly redesigns later in the process and ensures your commercial interests are protected during negotiations with authorities.
Practicality First: We design roads that work in the real world. Our team considers constructability at every stage, avoiding over-engineered solutions that are difficult or expensive to build. We focus on clarity and simplicity, creating layouts that are intuitive for users and straightforward for contractors.
Proactive Authority Liaison: Securing technical approval for highway works can be a lengthy process. We take a proactive approach, engaging with Local Highway Authorities early to agree on principles and resolve issues before they become blockers. Our experience working with various authorities across the UK allows us to navigate their specific requirements efficiently.
Integrated Design: Highways do not exist in isolation. We ensure our highway designs are fully coordinated with drainage strategies, site levels, and utility corridors. This holistic approach minimises clashes on site and ensures that the road network functions as an integral part of the wider development infrastructure.
To find out more about the people behind our projects, visit our team page or contact us today.
Chartered Professionals You Can Trust
Highway design requires a deep understanding of regulations, safety standards, and engineering principles. AJF Engineering Consultants is led by Chartered Civil and Structural Engineers who ensure every design meets the highest professional standards.
Our team holds memberships with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
These credentials signify our commitment to technical rigour and continuous professional development. When you partner with us, you can be confident that your highway infrastructure is being designed by qualified experts who understand the complexities of Section 38 and Section 278 agreements, DMRB standards, and the Manual for Streets.
Partner with AJF Engineering for Your Next Project
If you are planning a development, securing safe and compliant access is a critical milestone. Partner with a team of chartered experts who can guide you through the complexities of highway design and technical approvals. Our practical, value-driven approach will help de-risk your project and ensure a successful outcome.
Take the next step towards a seamless and successful development. Get in touch with us today by calling 0151 374 0545 or emailing us at info@ajfengineering.co.uk. You can also reach us directly via our contact page to see how we can help.