Policy information sourced from the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033
T1 Sustainable Transport Choices
- The Council will work in partnership with relevant stakeholders to promote a safe, efficient and convenient transport system which will:
- build on the District’s strategic location, through improvements to strategic road and rail connections and other public transport networks to the wider area;
- promote transport choice, through improvements to public transport services and supporting infrastructure, and providing coherent, safe, attractive and direct cycling and walking networks to create a genuine alternative to private vehicles and facilitate a modal shift;
- provide opportunities to improve access to the two Town and four District Centres and railway and London Underground stations by all modes of transport and ensure good integration between transport modes;
- manage congestion and maintain consistency in journey times; (v) promote and improve safety, security and healthy lifestyles; and
- improve the efficiency of the local highway network.
- Development should minimise the need to travel, promote opportunities for sustainable transport modes, improve accessibility to services and support the transition to a low carbon future.
- Development proposals that are likely to generate significant amounts of vehicle movements must be supported by a Transport Statement or Transport Assessment and will normally be required to provide a Travel Plan. Development proposals which are likely to generate a significant number of Heavy Goods Vehicle movements will be required to demonstrate by way of a Routing Management Plan that no severe impacts are caused to the efficient and safe operation of the road network and no material harm is caused to the living conditions of residents.
- Development will, where appropriate, ensure that transport infrastructure will be of a high quality, sustainable in design, construction and layout, and offer maximum flexibility in the choice of travel modes, including walking and cycling, and provide easy access for all potential users.
- Development will be permitted where it can be demonstrated, where appropriate, that it:
- does not result in a cumulative severe impact on the operation of, or accessibility to, the local or strategic highway networks or compromise highway safety;
- mitigates impacts on the local or strategic highway networks and London Underground station infrastructure within the District, arising from the development itself or the cumulative effects of development, through the provision of, or contributions towards, necessary transport improvements, including those secured by legal agreement, subject to viability considerations;
- protects and, where appropriate, enhances access to and the use of Public Rights of Way;
- provides appropriate parking and servicing provision, in terms of amount, design and layout and cycle storage arrangements, has regard to adopted Parking Standards. Mitigates any impact on on-street parking provision within the locality, and in the case of new non-residential development, has regard to the Council’s electric vehicle charging strategy when it is adopted. Reduced parking, including car free, development in sustainable locations will be supported; and
- provides a co-ordinated and comprehensive approach with layouts that are compatible for all potential users in terms of their safety, suitability, convenience and attractiveness, which do not prejudice the future provision of transport infrastructure on and through adjoining sites, and integrates with existing transport networks.
For more information please see the Epping Forest District Local Plan 2011-2033