Travel Plans
Practical Travel Plans that support planning applications and encourage sustainable travel
Many planning applications require a Travel Plan as part of the planning process. A well-prepared Travel Plan demonstrates how a development will encourage sustainable travel choices, helping to reduce reliance on private car journeys and supporting wider transport and environmental objectives.
At DW Transportation, we prepare practical, proportionate Travel Plans that satisfy Local Planning Authority requirements while reflecting how developments are likely to operate in practice. Every Travel Plan is tailored to the individual site, the type of development and the needs of its future occupants.
What is a Travel Plan?
A Travel Plan is a strategy that sets out measures to encourage people to travel by sustainable modes wherever possible.
Rather than focusing solely on vehicle movements, a Travel Plan considers how walking, cycling, public transport, car sharing and other sustainable travel options can be promoted through the design and operation of a development.
Travel Plans are commonly secured through the planning process and may include monitoring and review arrangements to demonstrate that the agreed measures are being implemented over time.
When is a Travel Plan Required?
Travel Plans are often requested for developments expected to generate a significant number of journeys or where Local Planning Authorities wish to encourage more sustainable travel patterns.
They are commonly prepared for residential developments, schools, healthcare facilities, offices, industrial premises, retail developments and mixed-use schemes. The exact requirements vary between authorities and depend on the scale, location and nature of the proposed development.
If you're unsure whether your development requires a Travel Plan, we're happy to review the planning requirements and provide straightforward advice.
What Does a Travel Plan Include?
Every Travel Plan is prepared specifically for the proposed development, but will typically include information about the site's accessibility, existing transport options and the measures that will be introduced to encourage sustainable travel.
This may include improvements to walking and cycling, public transport information, cycle parking, electric vehicle charging, car sharing initiatives, travel information packs, appointment of a Travel Plan Co-ordinator and arrangements for monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the plan.
Our objective is to produce a Travel Plan that is realistic, proportionate and capable of being successfully implemented.
Our Approach
A Travel Plan should be more than a document prepared simply to satisfy a planning requirement.
We work closely with developers, architects and planning consultants to prepare Travel Plans that are practical, easy to implement and appropriate for the scale of the development. Rather than relying on generic templates, every Travel Plan is written specifically for the site and reflects the opportunities and constraints of the surrounding transport network.
By understanding the development from the outset, we help ensure that the Travel Plan complements the wider transport strategy and integrates with other supporting planning documents.
Monitoring and Review
Some Travel Plans require ongoing monitoring after development has been completed to demonstrate that agreed measures are being delivered.
Where monitoring is required, we can advise on appropriate targets, review periods and reporting arrangements, ensuring that the Travel Plan remains proportionate to the development and satisfies Local Planning Authority requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Travel Plan always required?
No. Whether a Travel Plan is required depends on the scale, type and location of the development, together with the requirements of the Local Planning Authority.
What is the purpose of a Travel Plan?
The purpose of a Travel Plan is to encourage sustainable travel choices by reducing unnecessary car journeys and promoting alternatives such as walking, cycling, public transport and car sharing.
Who is responsible for implementing a Travel Plan?
Responsibility usually rests with the developer initially and, following occupation, may transfer to a site manager, employer, management company or nominated Travel Plan Co-ordinator, depending on the type of development.
Can you prepare Travel Plans throughout the UK?
Yes. We prepare Travel Plans for developments across Wales and England and tailor every document to the relevant planning authority's requirements.
Related Services
Travel Plans are often prepared alongside other transport planning documents, including:
Transport Statements
Transport Assessments
Parking Surveys & Assessments
Access Design
Swept Path Analysis
Delivery & Servicing Plans
Need a Travel Plan?
If your planning application requires a Travel Plan, we'd be pleased to help.
We'll prepare a clear, practical document tailored to your development and the requirements of the Local Planning Authority, helping support your planning application and providing a realistic framework for encouraging sustainable travel.
Contact us today for an informal, no-obligation discussion about your project.
