Travel planning for a sustainable world

A travel plan is a guide advising people about sustainable travel options in the area where they live, work or go to school.

Travel planning is not compulsory. However, local planning authorities will require it for developments that result in significant numbers of people needing to move around an area.

Where it is required, it is important for developers to submit a travel plan as part of the long-term management strategy for their development.

A travel plan shows the planning authority or local council that the developer will provide walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure along with strong public transport connections to the surrounding area.

• Reduced need for costly car parking provision
• Good environmental credentials
• Healthier neighbourhoods and working environments
• Reduced traffic congestion
• Increased sustainable transport use and reduced single-occupancy car use
• More car-free transport options for people living or working in the new development

Ensuring that developments are well connected by public transport and have safe walking and cycling infrastructure aligns with the government’s aim to transform the UK into an “active travel nation”, with half of all trips completed by foot or cycle by 2030.

The Mayor of London wants 80% of all trips in the Capital to be made on foot, by cycle or by public transport by 2041.

Councils encourage developers to consult with them as early as possible in the planning process, before they submit their planning application.

Including a travel plan early on helps with ensuring the development is part of a local transport system and is well connected to the surrounding area, minimizing the need to travel by car.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of elements included in a travel plan:

1. Measurable aims of the travel plan (eg. Reduce car use by 10%)
2. Assessment of pedestrian / wheelchair / cycle accessibility of the site
3. Public transport options
4. Review of active travel facilities at or near the site
5. Review of car parking facilities at or near the site
6. Review of freight and logistics patterns

Any large organisation can benefit from having a travel plan:

1. Schools

Schools want to encourage parents to walk, wheel and cycle the school run or use public transport where possible. Many schools have implemented School Streets where vehicle traffic in the street outside the school is restricted at drop-off and pick-up times. Some of the work we have done with schools includes School Street implementation and STARS and School Travel Plans.

Schools also want to ensure that their pupils are able to choose less polluted routes to and from school.

Travel plans for school children resulted in giving them walking maps showing less polluted ways of getting to and from school.

2. Places of worship

Places of worship have approached us to support worshipers at churches, mosques and temples to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport for their journeys to their place of worship. The travel planning process was integral to our work here.

3. Workplaces

We have worked with companies to support them in helping staff to travel between home and the office more sustainably.