Pre-Planning Application

The Scoping Study, Transport Assessment or Transport Statement

In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, all developments that will generate significant amounts of movement are required to be supported by both a Transport Assessment and a Travel Plan. Guidance on the production of both documents is provided by central government to ensure a consistent approach is taken by both consultants producing the reports and Local Highway Planning & Highway Authorities during the vetting process (You may view the latest government guidance by clicking here).

The Scoping Study

Before commencing work on either document it is extremely beneficial that the scope of the studies are agreed with the vetting authority. This ensures that issues such as the physical extent of the affected transport network are identified, the traffic generations and distribution identified and the type of junction modelling and scope are agreed in principle. The Transport Scoping Study builds on the information collected during the feasibility stage, where existing highway conditions are observed and critical measurements and data are obtained.

Since the introduction of guidance in 2008 the assessment must provide generations of Person Trips by all forms of transport to and from the development. The nationally accepted TRICS database and prediction program is used to provide this information with selection parameters agreed with the Local Highway Authority during the scoping study.

The Transport Assessment/Statement

After the contents of the scoping study have been agreed with the vetting authority(s) work can then commence on the Transport Assessment and Travel Plan. In addition to trip prediction, distribution and modelling, these detailed assessments often require significant levels of research in relation to base information and its analysis. Issues investigated by the highways engineer include:

• Road traffic accident data
• Vehicle, pedestrian and parking surveys
• Specific junction or highway link surveys
• Public highway, Public Rights of Way, Traffic Regulation Orders and Highway Adoption Data
• Utilities service information to inform access design options

A Transport Statement is a simplified Transport Assessment and is used in some cases where transport issues arising out of development proposals may not require a full Transport Assessment, which is typically the case for smaller developments where the traffic impact of a development is unlikely to be significant.