Transport options & inclusive access

Car clubs are membership-based schemes, providing shared cars for hire by the hour.

Each car club vehicle is environmentally friendly and replaces, on average, 5 privately-owned vehicles.

They support a more sustainable lifestyle or business operation, with less carbon emissions and pollution, and help reduce congestion in the city centre.

They can also help developers to meet occupiers' travel needs, where car parking provision is constrained.

City Car Club

In accordance with the Sheffield Plan, residential and office developments with limited car parking provision, in suitable high density areas, will be expected to provide car club spaces and/or make a financial contribution to promote and market the car club, and encourage membership within the development.

Planning guidelines

• is it more appropriate to provide Car Club spaces as part of the development or off site?
• car club bays should be:
  
  - accessible to the public
  
  - located within 300-400 metres of potential users
• how does car club provision fit as part of the Travel Plan?
• does the Travel Plan include incentives (such as free membership)?

All significant traffic-generating or large-scale developments exceeding the criteria levels set out in guidance on the Preparation of Transport Assessments and Travel Plans, will be required to prepare and implement a Travel Plan in support of development proposals.

Travel Plans help

• overcome transport problems such as parking and congestion
• manage the demand for trips, by identifying opportunities to reduce the need to travel
• and to promote travel choice

In line with the Sheffield Plan and recent Government guidance, there is an increased emphasis being placed on the monitoring and reporting of the effectiveness of Travel Plans. 

Considerations for developing a Travel Plan

• much of the information required to develop a Travel Plan is contained within the Transport Assessment. (In particular trip generation data can assist in setting SMART targets)
• is there an existing Framework Travel Plan covering the development site? If so, future detailed Travel Plans will have to be prepared in accordance with this
• are there wider area travel forums and networks in existence? Working with other organisations can make Travel Plan implementation easier and more effective. If not, consider developing one with site neighbours
• consultation and participation of site users in a Travel Plans development and preparation ensures users’ needs are met and greatly increases the chances of success