Highways Advice & Transport Assessments
Highways and transport issues are among the most common reasons planning applications are delayed or refused. Urban Vista Planning holds accreditation with the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), providing specialist highways advice that is fully integrated with our planning consultancy — so your transport and planning submissions work together rather than in parallel.
We Help With
What We Help With
- Transport assessments for planning applications
- Transport statements for smaller proposals
- Travel plan preparation and approval
- Highway access and junction design advice
- Section 278 and Section 38 agreement negotiation
- Parking strategy and assessment
- Highway authority engagement and objection management
- Active travel and sustainable transport strategies
- Transport conditions discharge
Common Scenarios
- →Your development requires a transport assessment and you need highway authority engagement
- →The highway authority has objected to your application on transport grounds
- →You need a travel plan as a condition of planning consent
- →You are creating a new or altered access onto a classified road
- →You need highways advice integrated with your wider planning application
- →You have transport-related planning conditions to discharge
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my planning application need a transport assessment?
Transport assessments are required when proposed development is likely to generate significant amounts of traffic, or where the local planning authority considers transport and access to be material concerns. Thresholds vary by authority and site context. We advise from the outset on whether a transport assessment, transport statement, or travel plan is required.
What is the difference between a transport assessment and a transport statement?
A transport assessment is a comprehensive document required for larger or more complex developments. A transport statement is a lighter-touch document for smaller proposals. Both analyse the transport impacts of a development and propose mitigation measures. We prepare both types and manage the engagement process with the highway authority.
What is a Section 278 agreement?
A Section 278 agreement is a legal agreement between a developer and the highway authority under the Highways Act 1980, allowing a developer to carry out or fund improvements to the public highway as part of a planning consent. We advise on the scope and negotiation of Section 278 agreements.
Can highways objections be overcome?
In most cases, yes — provided the development is otherwise acceptable and the highway concerns can be addressed through design changes, mitigation measures, or legal agreements. We engage directly with highway authority officers to understand their concerns and develop solutions before they become formal objections or refusal reasons.
What is a travel plan?
A travel plan is a package of practical measures to encourage sustainable travel to and from a development. It is typically required by the local planning authority as a planning condition for commercial, residential, and employment developments above a certain scale. We prepare travel plans and manage their approval.
Need Highways Advice?
Get integrated planning and highways advice from MRTPI and CIHT accredited consultants — free initial consultation.
Book a Free Consultation