Why do travels plans need to be monitored?

Monitoring is a key element of any travel plan. Without a robust monitoring programme, there is a risk the travel plan will become a static document that doesn’t change to suit the needs of the site. Without a monitoring programme it is also difficult to establish what the positive and negative elements of the travel plan are.

From a legislative perspective, Planning Policy Guidance 13 (Transport), states that a travel plan should be submitted alongside any planning application that is likely to have significant transport implications. The DfT’s Guidance on Transport Assessment has clear requirements that a travel plan should be developed and should inform the transport assessment process.

The TRICS® Consortium has produced a suggested Travel Plan Condition and a Heads of Terms document or Section 106/278 Clause, both of which can be viewed by selecting the options below. Please note that these texts are suggestions only, intended to be for initial guidance.

View suggested Travel Plan Condition

View suggested Travel Plan/Statement Heads of Terms document or Section 106/278 Clause

Suggested Travel Plan Condition:
Prior to the commencement of development the applicant shall submit for the written approval of the Local Planning Authority a Travel Plan in accordance with the aims and objectives of PPG13 (March 2001), the Government White Paper (July 1998), [Local Authority specific Travel Plan guidance], and in general accordance with the ‘Heads of Travel Plan’ document (if appropriate, specify).

The applicant shall implement and monitor the approved travel plan in accordance with [Local Authority specific Travel Plan guidance], and for each subsequent occupation of the development thereafter maintain and develop the travel plan to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority.

Suggested Travel Plan/Statement Heads of Terms document or Section 106/278 Clause:
The developer shall prepare a travel plan in accordance with the aims and objectives of PPG13 (March 2001), the Government White Paper (July 1998), [Local Authority specific Travel Plan guidance], and in general accordance with the ‘Heads of Travel Plan’ document annexed to the Agreement (if appropriate, specify). Prior to occupation it shall be submitted to the [Council/Authority] for approval, and implemented by the developer in accordance with its approved terms.

The outcomes of the plan shall be monitored in accordance with [Local Authority specific Travel Plan guidance], using the current TRICS® UK Standards, in place at the time when the on-going monitoring is due, or subsequent standards if the monitoring becomes overdue. The costs of commissioning the on-going TRICS® compatible monitoring surveys will be borne by the current landowner. The results of the monitoring shall be submitted to TRICS® at no charge for inclusion within the TRICS® database.

In the event that the freeholder fails to commission the required Monitoring Survey, the freeholder shall in addition pay the [Council/Authority] costs in commissioning such survey up to a maximum of [£……..].
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