Transport Planning Associates (TPA)

    It would not be an understatement to suggest that the recent Autumn Budget – presented to Parliament by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves on 30th October – was one of the most anticipated for many years, and not merely because of certain major historical milestones.  While the Budget was the UK’s first to ever be delivered by a woman, as well as the Labour Party’s first for more than 14 years, transport consultants and their clients were also watching the Chancellor’s announcement closely to learn of its implications for the transport sector.  In the event, transport infrastructure in the north of England was a major focus of the still only recently installed Government’s fiscal plans. Ms Reeves declared that measures including the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and improvements to the A57 road signalled an end to “14 years of neglect” of the region under the previously governing Conservative Party.  Hopes of improved rail and road connec...

  A development of significance to many transport consultants and their clients in the aftermath of the general election result, was the new Labour Government’s launch of a consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), as well as other parts of the planning system.  The Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) initiated the consultation on Tuesday 30th July 2024, with this process coming to a close on Tuesday 24th September.  The department stated at the time that the consultation sought “views on our proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework in order to achieve sustainable growth in our planning system.”  The Government went on to add that it was “also seeking views on a series of wider policy proposals in relation to increasing planning fees, local plan intervention criteria and appropriate thresholds for certain Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.”  CI...

  Many transport consultants and their clients are sure to take an interest in the recent publication of a new research and analysis paper addressing the connection between land use and transport planning.  The paper was released after a convening of the Department for Transport (DfT) Science Advisory Council (SAC) on 2nd October 2023.  This session, to which additional Government officials and external experts provided input, was aimed at assessing the scientific and technical evidence that supports policies on land use and transport planning, and the extent to which current implementation reflects this.  In the words of the department, the meeting sought to “provide an independent perspective on the opportunities for science and evidence to encourage land use and transport planning decision-making which supports policy outcomes as well as commercial imperatives.”  What expert views emerged from the discussion?  A variety of perspectives were ...

  It goes without saying that every parent or guardian wishes their child to benefit from the very best, including the right support to help them succeed academically. So, what part can our summer student travel programs at The Road Less Traveled (RLT) play in this? Are they essentially just a bit of fun for young participants?  The short answer to that last question is: definitely not!  Of course, we take great pride in our summer student travel programs being tons of fun for everyone involved . But when teens join their peers on our service and adventure programs to various countries around the world, they will also experience personal growth in numerous areas, with this having a positive knock-on effect on their studies.  Some of this growth does happen naturally, but our 30 plus years of experience and program development means our trips are specifically designed to go further than just scratching the surface of this growth . Our program content digs de...