Movement

Key to any successful street design, in terms of attractiveness but also its longevity, ease of maintenance, and sustainability, is the choice of materials. To ensure that streets can stand the test of time and be easily maintained long into the future, a simple palette of standardised materials has been developed. This will reduce the number of different materials that are laid in Cheshire West and Chester's adopted streets, to ensure that replacement and maintenance is feasible, while providing a reasonable level of choice for designers.

While asphalt is one of the most ubiquitous and affordable paving materials, it can require more maintenance and upkeep costs in the long term compared to materials such as clay. It is one of the most impermeable materials, generates more surface water runoff and has a higher impact on drainage. It also contributes more to heat island effects than other materials. This palette limits the use of asphalt materials where suitable.