‘Bus first’ approach urged in national planning consultation
A ‘bus first’ approach to the country’s planning system has been urged by the Confederation of Passenger transport (CPT) in response to a government consultation.
The consultation was open between 30 July to 24 September 2024 and sought views on the government’s proposed approach to revising the NPPF. It also sought views on a series of wider national planning policy reforms.
The NPPF sets out the government’s economic, environmental and social planning policies for England. The policies apply to local and neighbourhood plans and to decisions on planning applications. It covers various topics, including: housing, business, economic development, transport and the natural environment.
The CPT said the consultation gave a ‘vital opportunity to reset the relationship between planning and public transport’.
Alison Edwards, Director of Policy & External Relations for the CPT, said: “CPT and its members believe that a vision-led approach to future planning that promotes sustainable transport must put buses and coaches front and centre.
“Only a ‘bus first’ approach enshrined in the framework will ensure that the planning system delivers new towns and housing developments without further embedding car dependency. Placemaking with ‘bus first’ will persuade more people to use buses – delivering healthier, greener, and better-connected communities.
“This approach is also essential to give bus and coach operators the long-term assurance they need to invest in routes and to strengthen their relationships with the communities they serve.”
In its consultation response CPT argues that a bus-first vision for placemaking should be integrated within the NPPF as well as into the broader planning and economic policies of the government.
Likewise, CPT argues the reformed NPPF should be worded to become more assertive in promoting public transport. As with walking and cycling, the planning system needs to make taking the bus a more attractive option, the trade body says.