To ensure effective passenger pick-up and drop-off, the approach to the bus stop should be kept permanently clear of parked vehicles – which may necessitate the introduction of a bus-stop clear-way road-marking. This in turn may impact access to and parking arrangements for nearby dwellings. No dwelling should be more than 400m from a bus stop.

The associated infrastructure should be incorporated as the development progresses. This may include:

• Bus clearway
• Wider footways
• Passenger shelters (at boarding points)
• Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)-compliant 160mm raised kerbs of 3m in length with transition ramps at either end
• Real-time passenger information
• A pedestrian crossing-point in the vicinity of the bus stop

The carriageway of a bus route should not be less than 6.75 metres wide. Typically, 30mph vertical-deflection speed-reducing measures should be avoided on bus routes; where they must be used, they should take the form of table arrangements, with a table in excess of 12m in length.

Bus stops should be located within the overall limits of the carriageway of roads where the traffic speed is 30mph or less. In situations where a bus standing in the carriageway is likely to cause congestion, it may be necessary to consider the provision of a half layby.

It should be noted that a full-size bus requires a turning circle 26m in diameter.

For information on the Design of bus routes and how these can be incorporated into street design please see the relevant section of Streets and Roads.