TRANSPORT ASSESSMENT

A transport assessment is required for most planning applications, which encompasses identifying and assessing potential adverse impacts of development proposals on the entire transport network and determining the appropriate mitigation packages that would need to be deployed to address those impacts.

Transport assessments are crucial in identifying the transport impacts of a potential development proposal. They are comprehensive and systematic process that sets out transport issues relating to a proposed development. It identifies measures required to improve accessibility and safety for all modes of travel, particularly for alternatives to the car such as walking, cycling and public transport.

A transport statement is a simpler version of a transport assessment when the development proposals do not require a full transport assessment.

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The Need For A Transport Assessment Or Transport Statement

The overarching guidance and principles regarding Travel Plans, Transport Assessments and Statements are provided on the UK Government website under the planning system section. ‘Paragraph 111 of the National Planning Policy Framework sets out that all developments that generate significant amounts of transport movement should be supported by a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment.’

An assessment of the project is done by the Local planning authority towards making a judgment as to whether a development proposal would generate significant amounts of movement above the existing situation or threshold.

The coverage and detail of a Transport Assessment should reflect the scale of the development and the extent of the transport implications of the proposal. For smaller schemes the Transport Assessment (Transport Statement) would simply outline the transport aspects of the application, while for major proposals, the Transport Assessment should illustrate accessibility to the site by all modes of transport, and the likely modal split of journeys to and from the site. It should also give details of proposed measures to improve access by public transport, walking and cycling, to reduce the need for parking associated with the proposal, and to mitigate transport impacts.

Transport Assessment For Your Project

At SANDS, our approach is to ensure that development accords with all planning requirements including national, regional, and local planning policies based on the principles of sustainable transport. We undertake a thorough assessment of the project, using appropriate assessment methodologies and techniques according to the nature and scale of the development in the preparation of a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment for planning submission.

One of the key Analysis is identifying the existing and proposed ‘person trips’ generated by the development based on all modes of transport to/from the development. This requires a multi-modal assessment which can involve using the TRICS database for different modes of travel or site surveys where necessary.

We are used to working on a wide range of Transport Assessments depending on the scale of the development, the sensitivity in planning terms and the intricacies of the relevant highways and transportation issues. We identify practical mitigation measures where they are deemed necessary to support the project

Our team is experienced in developing acceptable and practical mitigation measures in partnership with the planning authority while ensuring the planning requirements are balanced with the Clients project objectives.

OTHER TRANSPORT PLANNING SERVICES:

We undertake all our transport planning services in house specializing in the following areas:

TRAVEL PLAN

Travel Plan

We provide bespoke travel plan services for both new and existing development projects. Travel Plans are long-term management strategies for integrating proposals for sustainable travel into the planning process. Clause 113 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states ‘ All developments that will generate significant amounts of movement should be required to provide a Travel Plan, and the application should be supported by a transport statement or transport assessment so that the likely impacts of the proposal can be assessed.’

Parking Surveys

We provide high-quality and thoroughly assessed parking surveys based on the Lambeth Council Parking Survey Guidance Note 2012 widely regarded as the ‘Lambeth methodology’, a method adopted by many London Boroughs. We use other methodologies as specified by the local authority such as London borough of Richmond upon Thames Parking beat survey criteria , Merton Council Transport Residential Parking Survey Methodology and Southwark Council Residential Parking Survey Methodology Guidance Note.

Delivery And Service Management Plans

Delivery and service management plans are increasingly required as part of development planning requirements, especially where you have a major commercial or residential development that is likely to generate a large movement of goods and materials.

Delivery and service management plans (DSP) aim to reduce potential adverse impacts of service and delivery traffic generated by a development, another key transport planning service we provide at SANDS. Delivery and service management plans aim is to facilitate smart and sustainable delivery and servicing arrangements to lower operating costs, reduce impact on the environment and improve accessibility.

Construction Management Plans

Construction Management Plan (CMP) is a plan that outlines the proposed approach to the delivery of a construction project. This is often required by planning authorities as part of planning approval requirements or a condition which needs to be in place and approved in advance of construction site works. A construction management plan is most commonly asked for at the discharge of conditions stage.

Our building consultant works hand in hand with our transport planning consultants to provide a CMP that addresses the detailed procedures, sequencing and construction methodology anticipated by the project team engaged in the planning, liaison and construction of the project.

Construction Logistic Plans

Construction Logistic Plans (CLP) are important management tools for planners, developers and contractors in assessing and reducing the negative transport effects of a construction project on local communities, residents, businesses and environment. In order to begin any construction activities a planning authority may require a Construction Logistic Plan (CLP) to manage the construction phase of the development to ensure any adverse effects to the road networks, safety, environment and that the community considerations has been factored into the approach to the delivery of the construction phase.

CLP’s are produced by our transport planning consultants whom are also registered CLOCS CLP practitioners

Transport Assessment