Industry-first national guidance factors suicide prevention into design of UK roads and bridges

New guidance released by National Highways and the UK Roads Leadership Group (UKRLG) will support the better design of major UK roads and bridges to help reduce suicide risk.

The UKRLG Roads and Bridges Suicide Prevention Guidance was developed with input from the road sector and Samaritans and encourages planners and engineers to incorporate features that could act as a deterrent.

The guidance marks a significant step in recognising the role of infrastructure in suicide prevention. It includes physical design changes, such as modifications to parapets and barriers, to restrict access. Other safety measures, such as improved lighting, are intentionally subtle and may not be immediately recognised as suicide prevention measures.

The guidance, which is the first of its kind for the road industry, will be published on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2025) and the industry will be encouraged to consider suicide risk from the very beginning of road and bridge design.

Nicola Tweedie, National Highways’ Suicide Prevention Lead, said:

“Around 50 suspected suicides are estimated to occur on motorways and major A-roads each year, accounting for approximately 20% of all deaths on our network.

“The tragic impact of suicide goes far beyond numbers and statistics. Each life lost represents a person, a family and a community left devastated. By considering suicide risk early in the planning process, we can help save lives on our roads.”

Other advice in the guidance includes emergency phones and improved lighting; monitoring tools such as CCTV; and close partnership working with local authorities, police and mental health services.

Elizabeth Pettersen, High Risk Locations Programme Manager at Samaritans said:

“Suicide is not inevitable, and together we can help prevent it. The road sector has an important role to play in making sure suicide prevention is considered at every stage, from design through to maintenance. Samaritans is proud to work in strategic partnership with National Highways and we welcome the launch of this much needed guidance. It’s important that this is now implemented across the road industry to ensure fewer lives are lost on the strategic road network.”

Lilian Greenwood, Minister for Future of Roads, said:

“By taking early steps to make infrastructure safer, we can protect lives across the country.

“This new guidance gives those responsible for our roads and bridges the chance to work together to help prevent suicide.

“We hope the whole of the UK road sector embraces this guidance as part of their planning, maintenance and renewal, so fewer lives are lost on our roads.”

This guidance helps everyone responsible for our roads and bridges to work together to help prevent suicide. By taking early steps to make infrastructure safer, we can all help protect lives across the country.

ukrlg-roads-and-bridges-suicide-prevention-guidance.pdf

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