NPPF Chapter 9: Promoting Sustainable Transport

NPPF Chapter 9: Promoting Sustainable Transport

Paragraph 108. Transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, so that:
a) the potential impacts of development on transport networks can be addressed;
b) opportunities from existing or proposed transport infrastructure, and changing transport technology and usage, are realised;
c) opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use are identified and pursued;
d) the environmental impacts of traffic and transport infrastructure can be identified, assessed and taken into account.

Paragraph 110. In assessing sites that may be allocated for development in plans, or specific applications for development, it should be ensured that:
a) appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes can be - or have been - taken up, given the type of development and its location;
b) safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users;
c) the design of streets, parking areas, other transport elements and the content of associated standards reflects current national guidance;
d) any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively mitigated to an acceptable degree.

Paragraph 111. Development should only be prevented or refused on highways grounds if there would be an unacceptable impact on highway safety, or the residual cumulative impacts on the road network would be severe.

Paragraph 112. Within this context, applications for development should:
a) give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas; and second to facilitating access to high quality public transport;
b) address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility;
c) create places that are safe, secure and attractive, which minimise the scope for conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles;
d) allow for the efficient delivery of goods, and access by service and emergency vehicles;
e) be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles.

Paragraph 113. 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.