Citation

Curtis C. Transp. Policy 1996; 3(1-2): 55-65.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0967-070X(95)00021-H

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Government Planning Policy Guidance Note 13: Transport, advises town planners to identify locations for new development which are highly accessible by means other than the car. The aim is to achieve a reduction in car-based travel. This paper reports the results of recent research into the relationship between the location of new residential development and travel behaviour. The research utilized detailed surveys of households in Oxfordshire to identify the significance of carbased travel for the location of major new housing areas. The research findings on travel behaviour are considered in the context of government guidance and the current practice of strategic housing location by local planning authorities. They confirm the value of PPG 13 advice which seeks to locate new development in existing larger urban areas. However the location of development in relation to strategic transport routes has an important effect on household relocation decisions and subsequent travel behaviour. The proximity of such routes has the effect of increasing travel generation and works counter to the value of locating development in large urban areas. The findings also raise questions about the notion of self-containment or balanced communities and indicate the need for a wider, sub-regional overview of future locations of major housing developments.