Travel Plans are increasingly being requested by Local Planning Authorities as part of the planning process. TravelWise recommends contacting the relevant Local Authority as early as possible in the planning process to ensure an efficeint and streamlined process in respect of travel plan development. Travel Plan contacts at each of the authorities are listed here.
Policy Background
Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport issued by the Government in 2001 sets out the objectives to integrate planning and transport at the national, regional, strategic and local level and to promote more sustainable transport choices both for carrying people and for moving freight. It stated that 'Travel Plans should be submitted alongside planning applications for all major developments and also for smaller developments which are likely to generate significant amounts of travel where there are already local traffic problems.'
Following this in 2002, the DfT and ODPM issued best practice guidance 'Using the Planning Process to Secure Travel Plans.' Making residential developments Work (2007) has been produced specifically for residential developments. For further information on this please see the Residential Travel Planning section.
On a local level, the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been developed by the five Merseyside local authorities. It is being progressed through each of their Local Development Frameworks (LDF) to ensure a consistent approach across Merseyside to securing sustainable access to new developments. The document explains how you can make sure your development satisfies policies contained in the Local Development Documents and paves a way for Developing Travel Plans in advance of planning applications in order to assist in smoother processing of that application. Where a development is speculative in nature and the future occupants are undetermined, Interim or Umbrella Travel Plans should be submitted.
The main objective of the SPD is to 'ensure a reasonable choice of access by all modes to a new development.' This document is part of the overall transport strategy as set out in the Merseyside Local Transport Plan (MLTP). Liverpool City Council and Sefton Council have already adopted the SPD and the remaining three councils of Knowsley, St. Helens and Wirral are likely to adopt the document during 2009
11.09.2010
Take a cycle ride around the scenic Coastal Reserve and improve your health and fitness at the same time!
10.09.2010
Businesses are invited to attend a free information session to learn more about electric vehicles and plans to provide a network of charging points across Merseyside.