Petrol filling stations.

Entry and exit arrangements on the main road, visibility, queuing back onto the highway, tanker deliveries, and the effect of the forecourt shop, car wash or EV chargers.

• Pass-by trip analysis from comparable sites.
• Access design with visibility to the relevant standard.
• Swept paths for fuel tankers and delivery vehicles.
• A queuing assessment at busy times.

A filling station on a trunk road needs National Highways’ agreement and its access must meet DMRB. We can prepare the evidence for that consultation.

• A Transport Statement covering pass-by and new trips.
• Access design for cars and fuel tankers.
• Swept paths for tanker deliveries and forecourt circulation.
• Assessment of the shop, car wash or food outlet on site.
• A road safety review where the access is onto a fast road.

A typical case is a new filling station with a convenience store on a dual carriageway. The highway authority asks about the access, and how fuel tankers will enter, discharge and leave. We design separate entry and exit points, show tankers circulating without reversing on the forecourt, and present trip data showing that almost all customers are already passing.

Fuel tankers are large articulated vehicles that need a clear standing area near the tank fill points, away from customer circulation. On trunk roads, National Highways applies DMRB standards and Circular 01/2022. Ancillary shops, car washes and coffee outlets can make up a large share of visits, so we assess them with the forecourt.

Concerns usually focus on the access onto a fast road and tanker circulation. A road safety review, separate entry and exit points and clear tanker swept paths usually resolve them.

Where National Highways is consulted, we agree the design approach early and provide evidence to the standards it applies.

We provide the transport statement, access design and swept paths, and support discussions with the highway authority or National Highways.

The same questions arise in Scotland and Wales, where they are assessed against NPF4 and Scottish guidance or Planning Policy Wales and TAN 18 rather than the NPPF.

To get a quote, send us:

• The site address or a location plan.
• The forecourt layout, pump numbers and any shop or food use.
• The road classification and speed limit at the access.
• Any pre-application advice or highways comments you already have.