Aspect 5 - Transport
Overview
Transport and movement are fundamental aspects of everyone’s lives which support everyone’s daily activities. Transport affects where and how people live, work and interact and how people experience places. Travel options and their quality affect our health and wellbeing. Active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) and use of public transport can increase physical activity levels and improve physical and mental wellbeing. Prioritisation and improvement of active travel and public transport infrastructure can reduce over reliance on motorised transport, contributing to improved air quality and a reduction in road injuries.
East Sussex Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) provides the county’s overall strategy for transport planning and delivery. The Plan has a strong focus on people and healthy place making, it includes the objective ‘Support healthier lifestyles and communities’ and the Theme: Safer, healthier and more active travel. The transport determinants below reflect and complement LTP4.
Determinant 5a - Local Connectivity
In this section:
Requirements
Local transport connectivity is the ease and efficiency with which people can move between different local locations. It is a measure of how well different places and key destinations are linked. Places are required to have good local connectivity to provide a network of direct walking, wheeling and cycling routes which reduce barriers and severance and provide links between key and essential everyday services and facilities. Good walking, wheeling and cycling connectivity is a key requirement to reducing reliance on cars, especially for short trips.
Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects
Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable.
- Reducing isolation: Places with well-connected walking, wheeling and cycling routes reduces isolated environments that can be difficult to navigate through. It increases easy access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and employment, and limits social isolation and loneliness, particularly for older adults, disabled people, and those without access to a car. These factors contribute to positive physical and mental health outcomes. (LGA, 2015)
- Active lifestyles: A high quality locally connected and integrated movement network that includes well designed walking, wheeling, and cycling routes for short trips encourages people to make these journeys by active travel means. This increases physical activity and enables an active lifestyle with benefits to physical and mental health. (Sports England, 2023)
- Environmental quality: Providing good local connectivity of direct walking, wheeling and cycling routes between key and essential everyday services and facilities provides a realistic alternative to the car. This reduces car trips potentially lowering traffic congestion and carbon emissions, which improves air quality and general environmental quality.
- Barriers to free movement: Designing walking, wheeling and cycling routes that are well connected, direct, without barriers, such as stairs, rails and busy roads with no crossing points, ensures that people of all ages and abilities can move easily between homes, work, services, and public spaces. (NatCen, 2019)
The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do
Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.
- Direct and connected active travel routes: Create walking, wheeling, and cycling routes that provide direct links between key essential destinations, such as homes, schools, workplaces, shops, health services, and transport hubs. Connect routes seamlessly through developments and into existing networks beyond site boundaries to encourage continuous journeys. Consider different people’s desire lines and the easiest, quickest routes between places.
- Safe and convenient crossings: Provide pedestrian and cycle priority road crossings in locations that link important destinations, such as schools, workplaces, shops, healthcare facilities, community buildings, and public spaces. Ensure these crossings are accessible and cater to all users, including children, older people, and those with disabilities.
- Avoid isolation and disconnection: Avoid designs that create barriers to walking, wheeling and cycling, segregating areas and creating places that are difficult to navigate through. Ensure developments are well integrated with surrounding areas with good connections between new and existing communities.
- Prioritise routes for walking, wheeling and cycling: Create a network of streets and paths that allow multiple route choices for walking, wheeling and cycling. Use filtered permeability, restricting and creating barriers for vehicles such as bollards or dead ends, whilst allowing through access and creating more attractive direct routes for walking, wheeling and cycling.
- Integration: Integrate walking, wheeling and cycling routes with public transport networks to support linked travel modes and reduce car dependence.
Local data and evidence
Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile
- Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
- Weight: Prevalence of overweight (including obesity): Reception, Year 6 and Adults
- Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)
- Car ownership: Car or van availability in household, percentage of people in employment who travel to work by driving a car or van
- Commuting: Distance and method travelled to work, percentage of people in employment by method of travel to work
Data available on external websites:
- Active Lives Small Area Estimates Tool | Sport England
- Connectivity Tool Lite | Department for Transport
Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.
- East Sussex Fourth Local Transport Plan | ESCC | 2024
- Health Impact Assessment for LTP4 | ESCC | 2023
- Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) | ESCC | 2020
- Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP) (BSIP2) | ESCC | 2021, 2025
- Connecting People and Places | Director of Public Health in East Sussex Annual Report | 2022/23
National planning policy context
The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:
- Paragraph 96 - Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:
- a) promote social interaction, including opportunities for meetings between people who might not otherwise come into contact with each other – for example through mixed-use developments, strong neighbourhood centres, street layouts that allow for easy pedestrian and cycle connections within and between neighbourhoods, and active street frontages;
- Paragraph 110 – ‘Significant development should be focused on locations which are or can be made sustainable, through limiting the need to travel and offering a genuine choice of transport modes. This can help to reduce congestion and emissions and improve air quality and public health. However, opportunities to maximise sustainable transport solutions will vary between urban and rural areas, and this should be taken into account in both plan-making and decision-making.’
- Paragraph 117 - Within this context, applications for development should:
- a) give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas; and second – so far as possible – to facilitating access to high quality public transport, with layouts that maximise the catchment area for bus or other public transport services, and appropriate facilities that encourage public transport use;
Other key guidance and standards
Guidance highlights the need to create continuous networks of routes which connect places easily and directly along routes people want to use.
- National Design Guide | Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government | 2021 This illustrates how well-designed places can be achieved in practice. Includes a framework of ten characteristics of well-designed places. Key section for this determinant is: ‘Movement’ - ‘M1 - A connected network of routes for all modes of transport.’
- Building for a Healthy Life: A Design Toolkit for neighbourhoods, streets, homes and public spaces | Design for Homes |2020 Focuses on creating places that actively support health, wellbeing and sustainability through good design. It sets out 12 criteria, grouped under three themes: ‘Integrated neighbourhoods, Distinctive places and Streets for everyone’. Key section for this determinant is ‘Integrated neighbourhoods – natural connections.’
- Streets for a Healthy Life. A companion guide to Building for a Healthy Life | Homes England | 2022 Offers practical best‑practice examples for designing people‑focused, healthy residential streets. The guide shows how well‑designed streets should connect homes to key destinations such as local centres, schools, parks, and public transport by prioritising walkability and cycling.
- Active Design | Sports England | 2023 The guidance supports planners, designers and developers to create active environments that make every day physical activity easy, safe and appealing. Key section for this determinant is ‘Principle 3: Providing connected active travel routes.’
Examples, best practice and or case studies
Links with other determinants
There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant.
- 1a. Quality Provision of Local Services and Facilities – Providing good local connections particularly walking, wheeling and cycling routes, supports quality provision of local services and facilities.
- 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites – Providing good local connections to local employment sites supports provision and opportunities.
- 1c. Inclusive Design – Providing direct barrier free connections supports inclusive environments.
- 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Good local connectivity enables easy access to facilities and services providing opportunities for interaction and enhancing social cohesion.
- 4a. Environmental Hazards – Good local connectivity increases walking, wheeling and cycling reducing car resilience and improving environmental quality.
- 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue Spaces – Good local connectivity supports access and provision of quality public spaces.
Determinant 5b - Mobility and Accessibility
In this section:
Requirements
Mobility is the ability to move from one place to another and involves physical movement. It is vital because it allows individuals to participate in daily activities, work, and social interactions, without mobility people can feel isolated. Accessibility is about removing barriers which prevent people from participating, ensuring inclusivity and equal opportunities. Accessible environments support and increase mobility. Transport options are required to support and increase mobility this may be through walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport or by driving a car. Environments with a variety of accessible transport options supports the creation of inclusive places. (Links to Inclusive design)
Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects
Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable.
- Access to services: Convenient access for all to everyday services and facilities is crucial for day to day living and quality of life. Barriers to accessing these essential services can isolate individuals, particularly disabled people and those with limited mobility. (LGA, 2015)
- Independence: The inability to access transportation options independently can lead to a sense of dependency and loss of autonomy, which can detrimentally affect a person's emotional state. Access to suitable transportation options not only facilitates participation in work, education, social and recreational activities but also fosters a sense of independence, self-esteem and belonging. Creating accessible transport options is crucial for ensuring that disabled people are not excluded from playing a full role in society.
- Seating and places to rest: Regular seating and places to rest is essential to support walking, wheeling, cycling, and access to public transport. Many people are unable to travel without frequent rest due to age, health, fitness, or carrying loads. Without adequate resting points, some may be forced to rely on door-to-door car journeys, reducing mobility, physical activity, social interaction, and air quality. (Department of Transport, 2021), (Healthy Streets, 2024)
- Public Toilets: A lack of supporting infrastructure, such as public toilets with baby changing and accessible facilities can limit the use of active and public transport by vulnerable groups. Public toilets are particularly important for older people to maintain independence, without them, confidence to go out can be reduced, increasing isolation and loneliness. (Centre for ageing better, 2026)
- Physical activity: Creating accessible walking, wheeling and cycling routes enables and encourages higher levels of physical activity within all groups with improvement to cardiovascular health, mobility, and mental wellbeing.
- Older people: Physical exercise such as walking is crucial to healthy ageing, the design of local routes, including safety, gradients, surfaces, seating, toilets and connectivity can determine whether older people will engage in this activity. (LGA, 2015), (Walk Wheel Cycle Trust,2021)
- Specific group needs: Certain groups, including families with children, women, older people and disabled individuals, are more likely to rely on pedestrian routes for everyday journeys. People that need to walk are also most likely to be those facing the greater barriers to doing so due to illness, injury, disability or age. Routes must be designed to accommodate their specific needs to enable them to use routes comfortably. (Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, 2024) (Local Government Association, 2024)
- Disabled car parking: Disabled parking is crucial for the health and wellbeing of individuals with mobility limitations, offering increased independence, reduced physical strain, and improved access to essential services including employment. Disabled parking close to key services gives a sense of autonomy and reduces reliance on others. For some walking even short distances can be painful or exhausting, disabled parking close to facilities minimises the effort required and reduces stress.
The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do
Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.
- Cater for all population groups: Design transport options that are accessible to all and barrier free with particular consideration of the needs of different ages (old, young and families), socioeconomic backgrounds and people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Ensuring routes and public transport options are usable by people with wheelchairs, pushchairs, and other mobility aids.
- Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant: Ensure DDA-compliant access, including appropriate widths, step-free routes, ramps, and materials that support ease of use for everyone.
- Crossing points: Ensure there are safe, direct, and convenient crossing points at locations linked to key services (e.g., dropped kerbs, raised crossings, and tactile paving) to support walking, wheeling and cycling across roads.
- Reduce hazards: Address trip hazards to improve accessibility and prevent falls or injuries.
- Seating and resting points: Create places to stop and rest (e.g. benches) along routes to enable more people, including older adults and those with health conditions, to complete journeys on foot or wheels.
- Dementia friendly design: Incorporate dementia-friendly design such as clear signage, defined edges, and predictable layouts to reduce confusion and support independent navigation.
- Signage and wayfinding: Include clear signage and easily legible wayfinding to help users navigate routes and connections easily.
- Public Toilets: Ensure availability and access to public toilets, including those with disabled access and baby changing facilities.
- Charging points: Ensure electric vehicle and e-bike charging points are installed to enable access for all including those in wheelchairs.
- Disabled parking: Ensure disabled parking spaces are provided close to key destinations and facilities.
Local data and evidence
Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile
- Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
- Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)
- Age: Population by broad age group
- Disability: Disabled under the Equality Act
- Mobility: Emergency hospital admissions due to falls in people
Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.
- East Sussex Fourth Local Transport Plan | ESCC | 2024
- Equalities Impact Assessment for LTP4 | ESCC | 2024
- Health Impact Assessment for LTP4 | ESCC | 2023
- Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) | ESCC | 2020
- Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIP) (BSIP2) | ESCC | 2021, 2025
- Connecting People and Places | Director of Public Health in East Sussex Annual Report | 2022/23
National planning policy context
The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:
- Paragraph 96 – ‘Planning policies and decisions should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which:
- b) are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion – for example through the use of well-designed, clear and legible pedestrian and cycle routes, and high quality public space, which encourage the active and continual use of public areas;’
- paragraph 117 – ‘Within this context, applications for development should:
- b) address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport;
- e) be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles in safe, accessible and convenient locations.’
Other key guidance and standards
Guidance highlights the need for everyone to get the benefits from walking, wheeling and cycling. It stresses the need to remove barriers and make all transport modes attractive and accessible to everyone.
- Inclusive Mobility. A Guide to Best Practice on Access to Pedestrian and Transport Infrastructure | Department of Transport | 2021 It provides best‑practice guidance on creating accessible, barrier‑free pedestrian and transport environments. It aims to ensure public realm and transport networks are designed inclusively so that everyone can move independently, safely and with confidence.
- Healthy Streets Approach and Healthy Streets Checklist for new developments | Healthy Streets | 2024 Is an evidence‑based, human‑centred approach and framework designed to create fairer, more sustainable and attractive environments. At its core are 10 Healthy Streets Indicators, which describe the human experiences needed for streets that enable people to walk, wheel, cycle, socialise and feel safe. Improving these conditions helps strengthen communities and supports population wellbeing.
- Walking for Everyone: A guide for inclusive walking in cities and towns | Sustrans, Living Streets and Arup | 2022 Guide is aimed at helping to make walking and wheeling inclusive, accessible and safe for all. It highlights that many people face barriers. It calls for safer and more comfortable streets which will give people of all backgrounds and abilities greater independence, safety and freedom.
- Building for a Healthy Life: A Design Toolkit for neighbourhoods, streets, homes and public spaces | Design for Homes |2020 Focuses on creating places that actively support health, wellbeing and sustainability through good design. It sets out 12 criteria, grouped under three themes: ‘Integrated neighbourhoods, Distinctive places and Streets for everyone’. Key section for this determinant is ‘Streets for all’- ‘Healthy Streets’
- Active Design | Sports England | 2023 The guidance supports planners, designers and developers to create active environments that make every day physical activity easy, safe and appealing. Key sections for this determinant are Principle 3 ‘Providing connected active travel routes’ Principle 7.1 ‘Provide infrastructure which supports and enables active travel.’
Examples, best practice and or case studies
Links with other determinants
There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant.
- 1a. Quality Provision of Local Services and Facilities – Increasing mobility and accessibility supports quality provision of local services and facilities.
- 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites – Increasing mobility and accessibility to local employment sites supports provision and people’s job opportunities.
- 1c. Inclusive Design – increasing mobility and accessibility for all users is critical in creating inclusive places and supports inclusive design measures.
- 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction –increasing mobility and accessibility increases opportunities for interaction reducing isolation and loneliness.
- 4a. Environmental Hazards – increasing mobility and accessibility increases walking, wheeling and cycling reducing car resilience and improving environmental quality.
- 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue Spaces – increasing mobility and accessibility supports access and provision of quality public spaces.
Determinant 5c - Active Travel: Walking, Wheeling and Cycling
In this section:
Requirements
Active travel is using walking, wheeling (wheelchairs and mobility scooters) and cycling as a means of travel for everyday journeys. Often it is used as an alternative to motorised transport (cars, motorbikes/mopeds). In this framework active travel encompasses both functional journeys and leisure activities e.g. walking for pleasure. Active travel has both physical health and mental wellbeing benefits including increasing physical activity and creating social cohesion. It also, through being an alternative to motorised transport options, has benefits to air quality, noise reduction, road safety and mitigating climate change all benefiting wider population health. The design of built and natural environments can significantly impact people’s ability to make active travel journeys, whether for a specific purpose or for leisure.
Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects
Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable.
- Universal health benefits: Promoting walking, wheeling and cycling, encourages a more active lifestyle, benefiting people of all ages and abilities. Increased physical activity can lead to substantial improvements in individual and population health.
- Supports physical activity: Integrating active travel options within communities enables effortless incorporation of exercise into daily routines. Infrastructure that supports walking, wheeling and cycling helps increase overall physical activity levels, enhancing health and wellbeing. (Public Health England, 2018)
- Regular exercise: Regular exercise improves both mental and physical health, reducing demand on health and social care systems. The UK Chief Medical Officers' Physical Activity Guidelines recommend for adults 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity weekly, which is easily met through walking or cycling. Active travel is an accessible and practical method to achieve this physical activity target.
- Specific health and wellbeing benefits: The health and wellbeing benefits of active travel are:
- Improves metabolic health and lowers premature mortality risk.
- Decreases risk factors for chronic conditions such as type II diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and some cancers.
- Provides mental health benefits including lower dementia risk, better sleep quality, and enhanced overall wellbeing.
- Reduces road congestion, air and noise pollution, offering environmental and health advantages. (Public Health England, 2018)
- Quality provision: The quality of active travel routes influences their usage. Routes which are safe, welcoming, attractive and climate change resilient are essential to encourage and enable participation in active travel options, particularly for vulnerable groups, such as older people and women and girls. (Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, 2019)
The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do
Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.
- Welcoming: Create high quality welcoming routes and environments where people feel relaxed and safe to walk, cycle, wheel, and spend time in. Include shade and SUDs where necessary to enable year-round use.
- Ease: Make walking feel like an instinctive and attractive choice particularly for short trips, such as the school run or accessing local facilities and services, especially for older people.
- Prioritise: Design streets which prioritise pedestrians and wheeled users, such as giving priority across side roads to create safer, more attractive and quicker experiences for walkers, wheelers, and cyclists.
- Rights of way: Protect and enhance Public Rights of Way to preserve and improve existing active travel corridors.
- Reduce speeds: Set appropriate vehicle speeds to create safe and attractive environments for active travel modes.
- Widths: Consider road, footway, and cycle route widths, ensuring enough space for movement and standing.
- Safety: Ensure routes are safe and perceived as safe by incorporating good lighting and natural surveillance. Think specifically about the experience and use of vulnerable users such as older people and women and girls.
- Cycle parking and support infrastructure: Provide accessible, secure, covered, well overlooked, lit and convenient cycle parking at homes, workplaces, public spaces, and buildings. Offer lockers and showers in non-residential developments to support those cycling to work or other destinations. Consider inclusion of facilities for bike hire, adapted cycles and maintenance.
- Specific features: Consider features to encourage active travel such as incorporating ‘Play on the way’ features along routes to schools and community facilities to make walking or cycling more enjoyable for children and encouraging car-free trips.
- Promotion: Promote active travel options as part of travel plans for new developments, workplaces, schools, and other institutions. Provide information about active travel routes to key destinations and connections to public transport for new occupiers and visitors, ensuring everyone is aware of the options available.
Local data and evidence
Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile
- Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)
- Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
- Weight: Prevalence of overweight (including obesity): Reception, Year 6 and Adults
- Car ownership: Car or van availability in household, percentage of people in employment who travel to work by driving a car or van
- Commuting: Distance and method travelled to work, percentage of people in employment by method of travel to work
Data available on external websites: Active Lives Small Area Estimates Tool | Sport England
Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.
- East Sussex Fourth Local Transport Plan | ESCC | 2024
- Health Impact Assessment for LTP4 | ESCC | 2023
- Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) | ESCC | 2020
- East Sussex Rights of Way Improvement Plan | ESCC | 2007 (due to be updated and renamed as a Rights of Way Access Plan in 2026)
National planning policy context
The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:
- Paragraph 109 – ‘Transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable and popular places. This should involve:
- e) identifying and pursuing opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use.’
- Paragraph 111 – ‘Planning policies should:
- d) provide for attractive and well-designed walking and cycling networks with supporting facilities such as secure cycle parking (drawing on Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans).’
- Paragraph 117 – ‘Within this context, applications for development should:
- a) give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas;
- c) create places that are safe, secure and attractive – which minimise the scope for conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, avoid unnecessary street clutter, and respond to local character and design standards; ’
Other key guidance and standards
Guidance shows the health and wellbeing benefits of walking, wheeling and cycling. It provides measures which can be applied which create people focused, high quality schemes.
- Cycling and walking for individual and population health benefits | Public Health England | 2018 Provides strong evidence that increasing walking and cycling delivers significant physical, mental and population‑level health gains. This includes reduced risk of premature mortality and major diseases, and improvements in mental wellbeing and sleep.
- Healthy Streets Approach and Healthy Streets Checklist for new developments | Healthy Streets | 2024 - Is an evidence‑based, human‑centred approach and framework designed to create fairer, more sustainable and attractive environments. At its core are 10 Healthy Streets Indicators, which describe the human experiences needed for streets that enable people to walk, wheel, cycle, socialise and feel safe. Improving these conditions helps strengthen communities and supports population wellbeing.
- Active Travel England design assistance tools | Department of Transport | 2024, Active Travel England scheme review tools| Department of Transport | 2025 Provides practical, evidence‑based support to help develop high‑quality walking, wheeling and cycling schemes. Together, these tools guide designers in creating safe, accessible and context appropriate active travel interventions and schemes.
- Manual for the Streets | Department for Transport and Communities & Local Government | 2027 and Manual for Streets 2 | Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation | 2010 Provides national guidance on designing streets as places for people rather than vehicle movement. Promotes layouts that prioritise walking, cycling, social interaction and a strong sense of place. Supports more sustainable, inclusive and active travel‑friendly street environments across a wider range of contexts.
- Cycle Infrastructure Design - LTN 1/20 | Department for Transport | 2020 It provides national guidance for designing safe, accessible and high‑quality cycling infrastructure. It’s principles set the expected standard for creating coherent, attractive and safe cycling networks suitable for all users.
- Building for a Healthy Life: A Design Toolkit for neighbourhoods, streets, homes and public spaces | Design for Homes |2020 Focuses on creating places that actively support health, wellbeing and sustainability through good design. It sets out 12 criteria, grouped under three themes: ‘Integrated neighbourhoods, Distinctive places and Streets for everyone’. Key sections for this determinant are ‘Integrated neighbourhoods – walking, cycling and public transport’ and ‘Streets for all - Healthy Streets’
- Planning for Walking | Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and Designing for Walking | Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation | Provides recommendations on how to plan for walking, including improving pedestrian environments and desire lines.
Examples, best practice and or case studies
Links with other determinants
There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant.
- 1a. Quality Provision of Local Services and Facilities – Increase provision of quality active travel routes supports provision of local services and facilities.
- 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites – Providing quality active travel routes to local employment sites supports quality provision and increases access opportunities.
- 1c. Inclusive Design – Improving and increasing active travel routes will support inclusive design and contribute to the creation of inclusive environments.
- 1d. Safety and Security – Quality active travel routes provide secure environments where people feel safe particularly vulnerable groups such as older people and women and girls.
- 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Increasing active travel will provide opportunities for interaction and enhance social cohesion.
- 4a. Environmental Hazards – Increasing active travel will reduce car resilience and use improving environmental quality.
- 4b. Access and Provision of Quality Public Green and Blue Spaces – Increasing active travel opportunities particularly Public Rights of Way supports access and provision of quality public spaces.
- 4d. Climate Change Adaptation – Quality active travel routes will include areas of shade and incorporate SUDs, where required, to ensure resilience to climate change.
Determinant 5d - Public Transport: Buses and Trains
In this section:
Requirements
Reliable, accessible, affordable and high-quality public transport options have significant impacts on health and wellbeing affecting both physical and mental health. It is crucial in enabling access to essential services, particularly for vulnerable group. Public transport that is well integrated with the active travel networks provides linked journeys to key destinations. It provides opportunities for social interaction, increases physical activity and reduces car dependency.
Issues, impacts and links to health and wellbeing effects
Below is an outline as to the importance of the determinant, its connection to health and wellbeing outcomes, and how it affects different population groups, particularly the most vulnerable. (Faculty of Public Health, 2024), (Department of Transport and NatCen, 2019)
- Equity: Reliable, accessible and affordable public transport helps reduce health disparities by providing equal access options to those who cannot drive. This includes access by children, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income groups, to essential services and opportunities such as shops, healthcare, employment, education, and social opportunities. Access to these are critical factors for maintaining overall health and wellbeing.
- Physical activity: Use of public transport is more likely to incorporate active travel (walking, wheeling and cycling) at the beginning and end of the journey. Combining active travel with public transport supports people in meeting recommended daily physical activity levels, enhancing physical and mental health.
- Reduces isolation: Poor or absent public transport services can lead to social isolation and loneliness, especially among vulnerable populations, limiting access to social support networks and opportunities for engagement.
- Reduces car dependence: Providing access to and encouraging public transport use reduces car dependence, contributing to safer roads, cleaner air, quieter streets, and more attractive communities, all of which positively impacts on health and wellbeing.
The Opportunities - What the Planning System Can Do
Positive actions, principles and measures that should be considered and where feasible implemented to address adverse effects and enhance health and wellbeing benefits.
- Integration: Ensure developments are well-connected to public transport networks, including bus and rail services. Provide good walking and wheeling access to existing or new bus stops, located close to or within developments to maximise convenience and use.
- Accessible and well-designed bus stops: Design bus stops with essential amenities, including:
- Shelters and seatinG
- Adequate lighting
- Real-time service information
- Safe and inclusive access: Ensure step-free, safe and direct access routes to public transport, particularly for vulnerable users such as those with limited mobility, older adults, or parents with prams.
Design safe crossing points and footway improvements to facilitate safe travel to and from transport services. - Encouraging use: Require and implement travel plans that promote sustainable modes, including public transport. Provide new residents and occupants with travel information, public transport timetables, ticketing, and route maps.
Local data and evidence
Data available on Healthy Places Data Profile: East Sussex Healthy Places Data Profile
- Loneliness: Percentage of adults who feel lonely always, often or some of the time
- Weight: Prevalence of overweight (including obesity): Reception, Year 6 and Adults
- Physical activity: Physically active children and young people, percentage of physically active and inactive adults
- Preventable diseases: Under 75 mortality rate from causes considered preventable (includes cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer and liver disease)
- Car ownership: Car or van availability in household, percentage of people in employment who travel to work by driving a car or van
- Commuting: Distance and method travelled to work, percentage of people in employment by method of travel to work
Data available on external websites: Active Lives Small Area Estimates Tool | Sport England
Evidence: County-wide plans, strategies and reports.
National planning policy context
The National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024) includes the following paragraphs:
- Paragraph 109 – ‘Transport issues should be considered from the earliest stages of plan-making and development proposals, using a vision-led approach to identify transport solutions that deliver well-designed, sustainable and popular places. This should involve:
- e) identifying and pursuing opportunities to promote walking, cycling and public transport use.’
- Paragraph 117 – ‘Within this context, applications for development should:
- a) give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme and with neighbouring areas; and second – so far as possible – to facilitating access to high quality public transport, with layouts that maximise the catchment area for bus or other public transport services, and appropriate facilities that encourage public transport use;
- b) address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to all modes of transport;’
Other key guidance and standards
Guidance highlights how public transport directly influences physical and mental health. It provides advise on how planning and design should support non-car mobility and improve accessibility and inclusion for all population groups.
- Transport, health and wellbeing: Evidence Review | Department of Transport and NatCen | 2019 A detailed assessment that explores how different transport modes influence physical and mental health, wellbeing and access to opportunity. It emphasises how good public transport reduces social exclusion, supports healthier travel choices, lowers environmental harms, and plays a crucial role in shaping community wellbeing.
- Faculty of Public Health Transport Special Interest Group: Public Transport Policy Brief | 2024 It outlines why transport and planning must prioritise accessible, reliable and affordable public transport to reduce health inequalities. It highlights that vulnerable groups are disproportionately harmed by traffic, air pollution and poor connectivity, and argues for reliable, safe, accessible and affordable public transport networks that improve health and wellbeing.
- Manual for the Streets | Department for Transport and Communities & Local Government | 2027 and Manual for Streets 2 | Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation | 2010 Provides national guidance on designing streets with a focus on people and places. It promotes a user hierarchy that places public transport users above private cars, meaning streets should be designed to support bus movement and convenient access to services. It emphasises that new developments should be planned so residents can reach facilities and bus services within comfortable walking distances.
- Building for a Healthy Life: A Design Toolkit for neighbourhoods, streets, homes and public spaces | Design for Homes |2020 Focuses on creating places that actively support health, wellbeing and sustainability through good design. It sets out 12 criteria, grouped under three themes: ‘Integrated neighbourhoods, Distinctive places and Streets for everyone’. Key sections for this determinant are ‘Integrated neighbourhoods – walking, cycling and public transport’ and ‘Facilities and Services’.
Examples, best practice and or case studies
Links with other determinants
There are overlaps and synergies between ‘Aspects’ and ‘Determinants’. This section provides a list of determinants which are interconnected and cross cutting with this determinant.
- 1a. Quality Provision of Local Services and Facilities – Increasing local public transport options supports quality provision of local services and facilities.
- 1b. Quality Provision of Local Employment Sites – Increasing local public transport options to employment sites supports provision and people’s job opportunities.
- 1c. Inclusive Design – Accessible local public transport options help create inclusive places and supports inclusive design measures.
- 1d. Safety and Security – Quality public transport provision and infrastructure include safety measures to ensure people are and feel safe and secure.
- 1e. Social Cohesion and Interaction – Public transport increases opportunities for interaction reducing isolation and loneliness.