How to Avoid Delays to the Process
Depending on the size of the development, it usually takes between around four to eight weeks to undertake a Transport Assessment. However, a number of factors can cause delays to the process. Set out below are suggestions on how to avoid some of the more common causes.
Scope
It is good practice to agree the scale and scope of a Transport Assessment with the local highway authority, and if necessary the Highways Agency, at the outset. This should then help avoid the need for undertaking additional assessments at a later stage in the planning process. It also enables the developer to build a good working relationship with the necessary authorities so that the planning process may progress in a manner which is beneficial to all parties.
Surveys
For all Transport Statements and Assessments, it is necessary to undertake traffic surveys or to obtain current traffic data to ascertain baseline traffic conditions. For Transport Assessments, it may also be necessary to undertake surveys to determine existing public transport capacity. Typically these surveys should be undertaken outside of the school holiday periods so that they are representative of normal traffic conditions. It is therefore necessary to consider this requirement when planning to undertake a Transport Assessment.
It is also important to consider the length of time involved in commissioning surveys to be used in a Transport Assessment. It typically takes between two and four weeks from commissioning the survey to receiving the results; before which, no further assessments can be carried out.
Public Transport Improvements
Following capacity assessments of public transport (taking into account the trips produced by the development), it may be necessary to propose public transport improvements in order to meet the demands of the new development. If this is the case, discussions should be held with the Public Transport Executive / provider and with the local highway authority Travel Plan Co-ordinator, to ascertain whether the improvements proposed are feasible and satisfactory for the development. Depending on the availability of the relevant parties and the amount of negotiation required, this process may take a significant amount of time.
Travel Plan Measures
It is important to note that, until the baseline data has been collected and the initial public transport surveys have been undertaken, it is not possible to identify what mitigation measures would be appropriate for the development. Furthermore, it may not be possible to implement certain measures (e.g. parking controls or public transport improvements) due to local conditions, and hence it may be necessary to revise the original proposals to reflect this.
