5.3.5.1
This Street type has a route or road number allocated by a highway network management authority, for example the DfT, Welsh Assembly Government, LHA, or a Public Right of Way number.
5.3.5.2
Streets classified as Motorways, “A” or “B” roads have their classification and number shown on road signs. For more information about Motorways, see Section 7.
5.3.5.3
“C” roads do not have their classification and number shown on road signs.
5.3.5.4
Some LHAs have a numbering or classification system for their Streets which are not “A”, “B” or “C” roads. These Streets are not classified for NSG or statutory purposes.
5.3.5.5
Under BS7666-1:2006, type 3 Streets classified by an LHA have the number prefixed with the letter “Z” to distinguish them from those classified nationally by DfT, for example “C453” is called “ZC453”. In April 2012, the DfT abolished the distinction between nationally and locally classified roads and devolved the power to reclassify all roads to LHAs. This rendered the use of the “Z” prefix obsolete.
5.3.5.6
Therefore, from April 2012, the use of the “Z” prefix is no longer mandatory and can be phased out over time. It is expected that this change will be reflected in the next version of BS7666.
5.3.5.7
This enables the use of more meaningful codes and recognises the legislative changes which devolve the power to reclassify Streets to LHAs.
5.3.5.8
The following are now reserved prefixes for different classes of Street:
- “A” A Road
- “B” B Road
- “C” C Road
- “LCN” Local Cycle Network
- “M” Motorway
- “NCR” National Cycle Route
- “RCR” Regional Cycle Route
- “Y” Public Right of Way
5.3.5.9
All other prefixes can be used without qualification to fit a Local Highway Authorities local numbering scheme for an Unclassified Road.
5.3.5.10
The use of “LCN” for a Local Cycle Network is not mandatory. To avoid conflicting numbering at a national level the use of LAID followed by a three-digit incremental value is recommended. For example: “LCN1234001” where 1234 is the LAID code and 001 is the incremental number.
5.3.5.11
The “Z” prefix can be kept in the LSG if the LHA has an operational need to do so. It is not mandatory to remove it.
5.3.5.12
If a classified unnumbered Road is known by a prefix other than “C”, then the “Z” must be replaced with a “C”:
- When recording classified unnumbered Roads, a prefix of “C” or “ZC” must be used followed by numeric values.
- For new classified unnumbered Roads, to avoid conflicting numbering at a national level the use of LAID followed by a three-digit incremental value is recommended. For example: “C1234001” where 1234 is the LAID code and 001 is the incremental number.
5.3.5.13
Some examples of the numbers recorded in the STREET_DESCRIPTOR are:
- A classification shown on a street sign, for example, “A48(M)”, “B4567”. The use of brackets can only be used for the Motorway designation. For further details, see Section 7.
- A classification not shown on a street sign, for example, “C456”.
- A numbering scheme specific to an LHA, for example, “E23”.
- A PRoW number. To distinguish this from other types of street number, it must be prefixed with an additional character of “Y”. For example, “YA400”, “Y123”.
- A National Cycle Route number. This always begins with the letters “NCR”.
- A Regional Cycle Route number. This always begins with letters “RCR”.
5.3.5.14
Authority Street Custodians must record all Motorways, “A” and “B” Classified Roads as type 3 Streets which are cross-referenced to either a type 1 or 2 Street. For more information about Motorways, see Section 7.
5.3.5.15
It is at the discretion of the Authority Street Custodian whether to record unclassified roads as type 3 Streets. This is because of the number of unclassified roads there are in existence. The decision depends on local requirements.
5.3.5.16
For information about how to deal with a Street which has two classifications, see Section 12.3. It is possible for a Street to be associated with more than one type 3 Street on the same ESU. For example, if one is a road classification, one is an “NCR” number and one is a PRoW number. For further information about PRoWs, see Section 8.
5.3.5.17
Motorways cannot be associated with more than one type 3 Street because they have no rights for cycles or pedestrians.
5.3.5.18
A type 3 Street must not be changed to a type 1 Street or a type 2 Street. If a type 1 Street or a type 2 is recorded as a type 3 Street in error, then the Street must be closed and a new USRN allocated as a type 1 or a type 2 Street.