Residential Travel Plans

What are they?

A travel plan is a long-term management strategy enabling an organisation or developer to increase levels of sustainable travel for all journeys to and from a site. It should consist of a package of actions or measures aimed at promoting sustainable travel and reducing reliance on single occupancy car journeys.

A residential travel plan is a package of measures designed to reduce car use originating from a new residential development by promoting alternative and sustainable forms of transport alongside reducing the need to travel in the first place.

Benefits include:

• Reduced travel costs for residents
• An increase in the amount of space available for development
• An increase in the likelihood of gaining planning permission
• Improved marketability
• Less pollution and the promotion of a healthier lifestyle

Travel plans are generally required for all new large or expanding developments, and for some smaller ones where there is predicted to be a significant transport impact.

National guidance can be found on the Department for Transport (DfT) website.

What is involved?

In general, travel plans will involve the following processes:

• If a travel plan is requested, the developer or organisation is obliged to make contact with us at the earliest possible opportunity so we can advise on the appropriate content for the travel plan.
• Clear responsibility for the travel plan rests with the developer or organisation, unless specifically agreed otherwise.

What should be in the travel plan?

• A site audit report giving a description of the site including design and layout, sustainable transport facilities provided, and how the site is accessed by all modes of travel.
• Targets for various modes of travel agreed by the Council.
• A method of monitoring travel patterns to and from the development site by all modes of travel. This will generally be done through a household survey and personal travel diary.

The sustainable transport team can advise you on all of the above. Below you can find some additional information to help you get started.

Examples of residential travel plans

Cobham Field

This is a medium sized residential development situated in the north of Plymouth, near Derriford Hospital and the airport. The travel plan for the development consists of

Travel plan measures included the promotion of sustainable transport options which the developer is doing via:

• The Cobham Field travel information website for residents
• A welcome pack containing a leaflet with different travelling ideas, local travel information, useful contact details and maps of local services and facilities and pedestrian and cycle routes

Residential travel plan guidance

Online guidlines from the Department for Transport:

• Making residential travel plans work: guidelines for new development
• Making residential travel plans work: summary document [1MB]