Capabilities

HTp has extensive experience in determining the accessibility and sustainability of an application site in transport terms.  This includes carrying out an audit of the local highway network to identify any improvements that can be made to the walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as distances from public transport provision.  Audits also identify local services and facilities in the vicinity of an application site together with an estimated walking and cycling time to each from the site.

HTp have discussed with Active Travel England their preference for presentation of active travel trip distribution for new developments using census data, mapping and TRICS multi-modal data.

HTp has significant experience in completing the BREEAM Accessibility Index (AI) calculator which includes the identification of services serving bus stops within 650 metres of an application site and railway stations within 1.0km of a site.  The recorded AI score directly assists in determining the number of BREEAM credits that a site can obtain.

We also have extensive experience in preparing BREEAM assessments for transport, which assess the sustainability of an application site against pre-determined criteria.

HTp has significant experience of the preparation of BREEAM Checklists Tra01 and Tra02 in support of planning application for new build development.  Tra01 demonstrates how our Transport Assessment and Travel Plan have been prepared to accord with BREEAMs list of items that must be covered.  Tra02 sets out the sustainable transport measures that are proposed to be implemented by the application proposals to achieve credits.  Credits are awarded based on the AI of the project and the options implemented.

We also have significant experience of preparing Tra05 in support of planning applications for the renovations of existing buildings, which is similar to the Tra02 process. 

HTp has extensive experience of carrying out junction capacity modelling using the appropriate software for priority junctions, roundabouts, and traffic signal-controlled junctions.  Our expertise means that we can model the capacity of an existing/proposed junction for the required forecast year to assess the effect development traffic, and traffic generated by committed development, has on the operation of the junction.  Where a junction exceeds in theoretical capacity in the future year, we have the expertise to design mitigation measures and test their effectiveness.

HTp can provide a Car Parking Management Plan to ensure the effective operation of a car park, setting out how parking on site can be effectively managed and organised.

HTp can provide a Commercial Waste Management Plan to ensure that refuse and recycling storage and collection strategies are appropriate, whether your scheme is large or small.  We regularly liaise directly with waste collection companies to ensure that receptacle sizing and store layouts are suitable to ensure the best fit for the individual project.  

HTp can provide a Construction Method Statement that includes:

• Method and duration of any pile driving operations

• Consideration of the specific environmental and physical constraints of the local highway network

• Routes for construction traffic

• Locations for loading/unloading and storage of plant, waste, and construction materials

• The erection and maintenance of security hoarding, including decorative displays

• Method of preventing mud being carried onto the highway

• Mitigation measures as defined in BS 5528: Parts 1 and 2: 2009 Noise and Vibration Control on Construction and Open Sites

• Control measures for dust and other air-borne pollutants

• Measures for controlling the use of site lighting

• A scheme for recycling/disposing of waste resulting from demolition and construction works

• Tree protection and approved ecological reports

HTp can provide a Construction Transport Management Plan that includes for:

• Access, gates and fences

• Site accommodation and placement

• Swept path analysis

• Security proposals

• Traffic management, including routing, parking, and material deliveries

• Control of noise and dust

• Public safety and liaison

HTp can provide a Vehicle Management Plan that includes for swept path analysis, refuse collection strategies, managing noise, TROs, loading only bays, etc

HTp has extensive experience of providing assistant to developers with the Section 278 Agreement (S278) process, which covers works to the existing public highway.  We have the expertise to provide assistance throughout the S278 process from preparing the details design plans, completing the application form, securing Technical Approval, reviewing, and commenting on the draft S278 agreement, and reviewing and commenting on the Local Highway Authority (LHA) supervision fee and the bond sum.  We also have significant experience of commissioning Stage 2, Stage 3, and Stage 4 Road Safety Audits, including the approval of CVs and the brief by the LHA together with preparing the Designer’s Response.  Post-construction, we can provide assistance with applying for the provision and final certificates together with the associated bond reduction.

There are occasions when a newly constructed highway does not meet the LHA criteria for adoption as public highway; it may be that the access road does not serve more than five dwellings are does not connect to existing adopted public highway.  Where a newly constructed highway is to remain private, we have experience of LHA invoking the Advance Payment Code (APC).  The APC forms part of the Highways Act 1980 (Sections 219 – 225) and secures payment of the costs of the street works in private streets adjacent to new buildings.  This ensures the LHA can complete the roadworks if the developer is unable to complete them.  We can provide assistance with reviewing the sum of the APC and securing the return of the APC once the roadworks is complete.

We also have experience of providing developers with assistance with the adoption of newly constructed highway through the Section 38 Agreement (S38) process.  The process is similar to a S278 with the main difference being the certification process.  Under a S38 the developer has to apply for a Part 1, Part 2 and Final certificate and the associated bond reductions.  We have experience of assisting developers through the S38 process, including Road Safety Audits through to formal adoption as public highway.

On occasions the LHA will request that works within the existing adopted public highway, or new highway works, are designed and constructed to adoptable standard without the developer being required to enter into a legal agreement.  We have significant experience of guiding developers through the ghost S278 and/or S38 process.

HTp has experience of designing shared space and traffic calming schemes.  This includes participation in public consultation exercises.

HTp can provide ES and EIA input whether it is providing text and data for a scoping exercise, or provision of a full chapter and appendices within the overarching document.  We are used to working to other’s templates for compatibility when compiling these documents, where required.

At HTp we have a number of staff who have experience of, and are competent to, support planning appeals and Public Inquiries.

Not all development sites are in open space where achieving appropriate access is straightforward.  We have extensive experience of assisting with the development of brownfield/ infill sites where various constraints mean that it is not possible to achieve access that accords with current design standards.  We have experience of preparing the design of a new or modified access with a carriageway width and/or footway width that does not accord with the minimum width.  Swept path analysis is carried out to demonstrate that the proposed access arrangements are appropriate for all users.

It can be naturalistically difficult to provide visibility from the access to a constrained site in accordance with the requirements of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridge or Manual for Streets.  We have significant experience of using the formulae contained in Manual for Streets 2 to calculate the length of the visibility splay (‘Y’ distance) required for the recorded 85th percentile of speed using the road from which the development site takes access. 

HTp has significant experience in the design of the internal layout of constrained sites such that they are fully accessible for the emergency services and to ensure that all vehicles can enter the site, manoeuvre, and enter the adopted public highway in a forward gear. 

HTp can provide detailed design General Arrangement drawings to support the discharge of planning Conditions, taking a preliminary pre-planning layout and adding the additional detail and design required to the relevant Local Authority specifications.  We work in both 2D and 3D CAD software and can also provide visibility splays in the horizontal and vertical plane for scrutiny by the Local Highway Authority and National Highways.

HTp has experience on leading negotiations with highway authorities post the submission of a planning application to consider and address maters raised by the officer with a view to them removing any objection on highway grounds. 

HTp has extensive experience of carrying out parking surveys, to the relevant Local Authority requirements. This can be on-street car parking surveys, off-street car parking surveys, or even of cycle parking.  We undertake the survey at the required times of the day and/or night; provide the photographical evidence; produce drawings of the survey data mapping out the location of vehicles/spaces, taking into account dropped kerbs/junctions/TROs; tabulate the findings; and prepare a summary report.

Locations covered for parking surveys are generally, but not necessarily limited to, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, B&NES, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Newport, and North Somerset.

HTp are more than happy to not only provide material to support a public consultation, but also provide a representative to present the highway elements of the scheme, support the client team and answer questions from the general public.

HTp regularly prepares the preliminary design of site access junction arrangements and internal layouts for submission in support of planning applications for different uses.  Although preliminary, our junction and internal layout plans are designed to accord with the criteria set out by the Manual for Streets highway design guidance document, including carriageway, footway and cycleway widths, junction and forward visibility, dimensions of turning heads, dimension of parking bays, included parking bays for the dedicated use of blue badge holders, electric vehicle charging provision pedestrian crossing provision, and the design of secure cycle parking provision.

HTp has extensive experience of preparing Premises Management Plans (PMP) in support of planning application for many different uses, including schools and student accommodation.  A PMP sets out the drop-off and pick-up arrangement for a school and also sets out the student moving bin/moving-out strategy at student arrival and departure time with the aim of minimising congestion of the local highway network.

At HTp, our team includes trained Road Safety Engineers.  We can analyse accident records in detail and provide Road Safety Assessments for submission to the Local Authority.  Some of our team are independent Road Safety Audit team members.

At HTp we have extensive experience of the legal side of planning applications and highway schemes, having input to Section 106 Agreements pre-planning and applying for and reviewing Section 278 Agreements post planning.

HTp regularly receives proposed site layout plans from Architect’s which we review and provide comment on.  We have significant experience on providing comment on junction radii, carriageway, footway, and cycleway widths, proposed off-street car parking layout, the provision of blue badge holder parking and electric vehicle charging provision, access for pedestrians and cyclists, and the appropriateness of cycle parking provision in terms of the number of spaces and the type of provision.

We have extensive experience in preparing Transport Assessment/Transport Statements and Travel Plans in support of planning applications for special educational needs schools.  We have found that the TRICS database does not include surveys from any comparable site.  Typically, pupils attending a special educational needs school are transported to and from the school by a combination of private taxi and private minibus; there are no drop-off/pick-up by parents in a private car.  We have therefore developed a first principles methodology for forecasting the number of arrivals and departures by vehicle in-lieu of appropriate trip rate.

At HTp we are all trained to use swept path analysis software to test road layouts.  We have a vast library available and can mock up vehicle templates for more e.g. to test specific EA vehicle access.  HTp can provide 2D visualised vehicle movements, as well as analysis of sight lines, vehicle speed and vehicle clearance. 

At HTp we have extensive experience with Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) and Temporary TROs for not only progressing applications and implementation of, e.g., double yellow lines, vehicle restrictions, and controlled parking zones with the Local Highway Authority,  but also for stopping up public highway and diverting, extinguishing, or creating new Public Rights of Way.  We also support client teams with road closures. 

HTp provide Transport Assessments and Transport Statements to support all planning applications for various land uses and site sizes.  Transport Assessments include junction and link capacity assessments and modelling.  Our reports include highway boundary and Public Right of Way information; analysis of traffic survey data; confirmation of required and achieved visibility splays for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians; junction design; reviewing options to travel by sustainable measures; potential improvements and mitigation schemes; trip attraction/generation (using the national TRICS database or first principles) and comparisons; full collision investigation; consideration of emergency service vehicles, delivery vehicles and refuse and recycling storage and collection; cycle and walking isochrones; and demonstrating compliance with national and local policy. 

We also provide advice on the appropriateness of proposed car, cycle and motorcycle parking provision, including the application of Local Authority parking discounts, blue badge holder parking, and electric vehicle charging (cars and cycles).

We carry out parking accumulation exercises; conflict analysis; and provide the design team with support and advice on the emerging layout including swept path analysis.

HTp has extensive experience is preparing Framework Travel Plans, Travel Plan Statements, and full Travel Plans in support of planning applications for all land uses including, mixed-use development, residential, employment, school, student accommodation.  Where appropriate, our Travel Plans are set out in accordance with BREEAM guidance to obtain the BREEAM credits that are available.

Our Travel Plans provide a summary of the measures and initiatives that will be implemented to encourage future occupiers, their staff, and visitors to travel by sustainable modes of transport together with how the plan will be managed, i.e., by the developer or by the Local Highway Authority.  We have experience of providing a full costing of the proposed measures and initiatives together with an action plan.