Guidance on Transport Assessment

National planning policy states that where a new development is likely to have significant transport implications, a Transport Assessment should be prepared and submitted with a planning application for the development. It will then be used to determine whether the impact of the development on transport is acceptable.

Transport Assessments are normally produced by specialist transport planning professionals on behalf of developers and are used by decision makers in the planning process.

National guidance has been provided by the Department for Transport on the preparation of Transport Assessments and is often supplemented by local guidance documents prepared by individual Planning Authorities. The Department of Transport guidance can be read here. These guidance documents set out the methodology that should be used when undertaking a Transport Assessment and state the importance of entering into early discussions with the Local Planning Authority and other relevant authorities (Local Transport Authority, Local Highways Authority and Highways Agency)  to agree the scope of assessment prior to it’s completion and submission as part of a planning application.

Transport Assessments are required for all development proposals that are likely to have a significant impact on the transport network. For developments that are likely to have only a relatively small impact on the transport network, it may be appropriate to provide a Transport Statement instead of a full Transport Assessment and in some circumstances when the transport impact is likely to be minimal then it may not be necessary to provide any formal assessment. Indicative thresholds are provided in the Department for Transport guidance, providing advice on the level of assessment that may be required. However, the need for, and the level of transport assessment required should be determined in consultation between the developer and the relevant authorities.

Both forms of Transport Assessments should consider the impact of the development on all transport modes, set out proposals to minimise the impact of the development on the transport network and promote measures to encourage sustainable transport. The impact of the remaining development traffic that cannot be reduced further through sustainable travel measures is assessed on the local road network. These assessments take place at the proposed opening year for the development and at a future design year that has been agreed with the Local Authority, which is usually 5-10 years from the date of planning submission, with future traffic forecasts calculated using TEMPRO software and adjusted using site specific data if available.

To this end, it is a usual requirement that a Transport Assessment is accompanied by a Travel Plan that is implemented as part of the development proposals upon occupation and sets out the measures that are proposed to encourage sustainable transport.

Require Assistance with a Transport Assessment?

Sanderson Associates have extensive experience in providing Transport Assessments, Transport Statements and Travel Plans for a wide variety of major and minor developments throughout the whole of the UK, Isle of Man and Ireland.

We would be pleased to provide you with our competitive fee quotation to provide you with our Transport Assessment Services, please call us on 01924 844080 or click here to visit our online secure server fee quote request form.