The Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), the Local Government Technical Advisers Group (TAG) and the Planning Officers Society (POS) welcome the new National Planning Policy Framework and are pleased that some of our concerns have been met.

We particularly welcome the endorsement of promoting sustainable transport and the importance of locating high trip generating uses such as offices in town centres or failing that within 500m of a public transport interchange.

We were, however, disappointed that the key principles of PPG13 do not come across more strongly and that the issues of creating more sustainable patterns of development, choosing the right locations and improving access at the neighbourhood level do not appear among the core principles. We regret that the opportunity was not taken to integrate the transport considerations in PPG13 more fully into the new National Planning Policy Guidance.

We look forward to working with the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for Transport (DfT) officials to identify good practice guidance which will support local authorities when making their choices about location and accessibility.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation

CIHT is a membership organisation representing over 12,000 people who work in the highways and transportation sector.

CIHT members plan, design, build, operate and maintain best-in-class transport systems and infrastructure, whilst respecting the imperatives of improving safety, ensuring economic competitiveness and minimising environmental impact.

CIHT supports its member’s professional endeavours by:
•    offering training, information, professional development and support
•    promoting the value added to society by the profession
•    being the focused voice to Governments and other decision makers on transportation expertise and knowledge.

For more information please contact:
Daniel Isichei, Director of Communications, CIHT on t: +44 (0) 20 7336 1567 m: 07912122573 e: Daniel.Isichei@ciht.org.uk