Planning for shorter distances
Ensure that planning policy and practice reduce the need to travel
Although the places we visit on a regular basis are the same as ever, we often have to travel much further to reach them. Whether to the post office, the bank, work, the shops, or school, average journeys are getting longer.
As a result there are fewer shops and services available on our local high streets, and people often have to use a car because they have no other choice.
Focusing planning to achieve good access to local shops, schools, libraries, post offices and other everyday places would be of huge benefit to people and communities. And the more people can reach everyday destinations by foot, bike and public transport, the more pleasant the local environment becomes. This creates the 'feel good factor', or liveability, that turns our streets and local areas into a community.
This is why, as part of our call to action, Sustrans calls on UK governments to:
- Grant planning permission only to mixed use developments, where high-quality sustainable transport services and restricted parking are in place.