We provide visibility splay assessments to establish whether proposed or existing site access arrangements meet highway safety requirements. Our work focuses on understanding achievable visibility, the local speed environment and physical constraints so access proposals can be assessed realistically and proportionately.
Visibility is a fundamental consideration for new access design. Early clarity on what can be achieved helps avoid abortive design, reduces planning risk and supports informed discussion with the local highway authority.
What is a visibility splay assessment
A visibility splay assessment reviews whether drivers emerging from a site can see and be seen by other road users in accordance with highway standards. It considers factors such as vehicle speeds, alignment, gradients, boundary treatments and surrounding land ownership.
These assessments are often required to support planning applications, pre-application discussions or early feasibility work, particularly where access is constrained or proposed onto higher-speed roads.
Our visibility splay assessments are tailored to the site and typically include:
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Review of existing highway layout and alignment
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Speed limit review and consideration of actual traffic speeds
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Assessment of maximum achievable visibility splays against standards (MfS or DMRB)
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Identification of physical constraints such as boundaries, walls or vegetation
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Review of third-party land implications
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Clear drawings illustrating visibility requirements and constraints
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Recommendations to optimise visibility such as vegetation clearance or access relocation
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Written commentary on feasibility, risk and deliverability
The value of this work lies in providing early, site-specific clarity on what is realistically achievable, rather than relying on assumed standards or generic layouts. By testing visibility against actual site conditions, we help clients understand where access design is straightforward, where compromise may be required, and where further discussion with the highway authority is likely. This reduces the risk of late-stage objection, redesign or delay, and allows visibility constraints to be addressed proactively as part of the wider access strategy.
Why visibility advice matters
Visibility constraints are a common cause of highway objection and redesign. Understanding them early allows access proposals to be shaped around what is genuinely achievable rather than assumed standards.
The value lies in clarity. A robust visibility assessment provides confidence that access arrangements are safe, defensible and capable of being supported through planning, while highlighting where compromise, mitigation or further discussion may be required.
Our approach
We take a clear, evidence-led approach to visibility assessment:
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Review site context, frontage and highway environment
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Confirm applicable design standards and visibility requirements
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Assess achievable visibility based on site-specific constraints
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Identify risks and opportunities early
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Present findings clearly with supporting drawings and advice
Our focus is on providing realistic, proportionate advice that supports decision making and aligns with highway authority expectations.
Who we support
We undertake visibility splay assessments for:
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Residential developments
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Strategic land and site promotion
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Commercial and employment uses
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Energy and infrastructure sites
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Rural and edge-of-settlement locations
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Sites with constrained frontage or higher-speed roads
Our experience across England, Scotland and Wales provides strong understanding of varying highway authority standards and interpretation.
Need to confirm whether visibility is achievable for your site access?
Get in touch and we will provide clear, practical advice on access visibility to support your application.
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