Pre-Planning Application

Concept and Feasibility

In the majority of planning land use proposals the Highway Engineer has an integral role in helping develop the concept and assessing the feasibility of the transport infrastructure design. In Project Teams for major development, a Town Planner will normally advise on the land use principles of the development, the Architect will advise on the design concept and the Highway Engineer will advise on the practicalities of providing access for all modes of travel in a cost effective manner, assessing the suitability of the existing infrastructure, assessing the parking and servicing arrangements for the development and provide designs for any off site civil engineering works that may be deemed necessary.

Feasibility studies should ideally be undertaken well before the planning application stage, to define the most appropriate access arrangements for the site and provide an initial assessment of the impacts of the proposal on the transport network. This process then informs the on-going design development of the proposal, to ensure that a high quality design is produced that can fit within its surrounding without significant adverse impact on the transport network. As part of the feasibility study, the impact and required mitigation of all elements of the transport network are considered, including an initial assessment of the suitability of public transport facilities, walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as reviewing road traffic accident records in the locality to identify if there are any existing roads safety issues that may be effected by the proposals.