Policy T4 — Assessing and mitigating transport impacts

Policy T4 Assessing and mitigating transport impacts A Development Plans and development proposals should reflect and be integrated with current and planned transport access, capacity and connectivity. B When required in accordance with national or local guidance, [179] transport assessments/statements should be submitted with development proposals to ensure that impacts on the capacity of the transport network (including impacts on pedestrians and the cycle network), at the local, network-wide and strategic level, are fully assessed. Transport assessments should focus on embedding the Healthy Streets Approach within, and in the vicinity of, new development. Travel Plans, Parking Design and Management Plans, Construction Logistics Plans and Delivery and Servicing Plans will be required having regard to Transport for London guidance. [180] C Where appropriate, mitigation, either through direct provision of public transport, walking and cycling facilities and highways improvements or through financial contributions, will be required to address adverse transport impacts that are identified. D Where the ability to absorb increased travel demand through active travel modes has been exhausted, existing public transport capacity is insufficient to allow for the travel generated by proposed developments, and no firm plans and funding exist for an increase in capacity to cater for the increased demand, planning permission will be contingent on the provision of necessary public transport and active travel infrastructure. E The cumulative impacts of development on public transport and the road network capacity including walking and cycling, as well as associated effects on public health, should be taken into account and mitigated. F Development proposals should not increase road danger. 10.4.1 It is important that the impacts and opportunities which arise as a result of development proposals are identified and assessed so that appropriate mitigations and opportunities are secured through the planning process. Transport assessments are therefore necessary to ensure that planning applications can be reviewed and assessed for their specific impacts and for their compatibility with the Healthy Streets Approach. Consideration of the potential impacts on internationally important wildlife sites should also be assessed, where required. 10.4.2 Transport assessments should include an assessment of demand arising from personal travel as well as from potential servicing and deliveries, taking into account the impacts both on all modes of transport including walking and cycling, and on streets as social spaces. For developments of strategic importance (development proposals that are referable to the Mayor), applicants are strongly advised to engage early with Transport for London through the pre-application process in order to ensure that all necessary elements are covered. [181] 10.4.3 It is important that development proposals reduce the negative impact of development on the transport network and reduce potentially harmful public health impacts. The biggest transport-related impact of development on public health in London is the extent to which it enables physical activity from walking, cycling and using public transport. The other main impacts on public health relate to air quality, road danger, noise, and severance. The phasing of development, and the use of travel plans and freight strategies, may help reduce negative impacts and bring about positive outcomes. Where adverse transport impacts have been identified from development proposals, mitigation will be sought in the form of financial contributions – to improve network service levels for example – or through directly providing infrastructure such as additional bus stops and street improvements. 10.4.4 New development that will give rise to significant numbers of new trips should be located in places well-connected by public transport, with capacity adequate to support the additional demand, or where there is a realistic prospect of additional access or capacity being provided in time to meet the new demand. The ability to absorb increased travel demand through active travel modes must also be considered. Funded proposals by applicants to improve transport access, capacity or connectivity are encouraged.London Plan Policy T4 · official source →