Gateways.

Gateways have been used over the centuries to mark the entry to a special place. So it is appropriate that gateway features have been adapted for use as a traffic calming measure. The Traffic Calming Regulations 1993 provide for a gateway to be used "to indicate the presence in a length or lengths of highway of traffic calming works". Those works may be ones prescribed by the regulations, or specially authorised, or they may be road humps. Gateways may be constructed on the verge, footway or cycle track. One of the main features will usually be vertical elements at the sides of the road. It is also possible for a gateway to span the carriageway. In common with all traffic calming features, a gateway may include paving, grass or other cover; pillars, planters, walls, rails or fences; and trees, shrubs and other plants. Where a gateway precedes road humps it does not by itself constitute the necessary speed reducing feature required in advance of a road hump constructed under the Highways (Road Humps) Regulations. Other traffic calming works may be combined with a gateway. These could include pinch points, build-outs, islands and rumble devices, together with changes of carriageway colour and/ or texture and the use of appropriate signing. Where changes in the surface of the carriageway are used, it will usually be most effective if they start at the gateway, rather than in advance of it. This helps to give greater prominence to the gateway itself. It has been found that any speed reduction achieved by a gateway treatment can be extremely local and may be eroded over time. To achieve the most beneficial effect, other traffic calming features will have to be located close to the gateway, and extend over the length of road over which speeds need to be constrained. As mentioned in Traffic Advisory Leaflet 7/93 (see ST 932182 fo), traffic calming measures cannot be used by themselves to prevent access. Therefore, both the horizontal and vertical elements of a gateway must be constructed so that it can be negotiated by any vehicle entitled to use the road. (A)