Written question asked by David Kidney (Labour) on Thursday, 1 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 December 2005. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Walking (Planning Implications)

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the planning implications of the promotion of walking.

Answer: Government policy is to seek to reduce the reliance on the private car by promoting alternative forms of transport, such as public transport, walking and cycling. Planning guidance is given in Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 13 ““Transport””. This says ““walking is the most important mode of travel at the local level and offers the greatest potential to replace short car trips””. Local authorities should consider walking within their local transport plans, which in turn inform local development frameworks (LDF). With reference to town centres, ““Planning for Town Centres, Guidance on Design and Implementation tools””, which accompanies Planning Policy Statement (PPS) 6 ““Planning for town centres””, states that local authorities should seek to improve the quality, convenience and safety of access on foot, by bicycle and public transport. It advises that further guidance is given in ““Walking and Cycling Action Plan”” (DfT, TINF391).There is no national assessment of the planning implications of the promotion of walking but PPS1 ““Delivering Sustainable Development”” makes it clear that planning authorities should ensure their plans and policies are properly based on analysis and evidence.

Secondary information