11/10/2026
The most costly transport mistake we see on London schemes is not a bad parking survey or a tricky junction. It is leaving transport until the design is already fixed.
Again and again, we are brought in after the layout has been agreed and the client is committed. Then officers raise concerns about access, refuse collection, delivery vehicles or parking, and what should have been a small adjustment becomes a full redesign. That costs time, fees and sometimes the planning permission itself.
London's transport policy is demanding. Car-free development, tight parking limits and the Healthy Streets approach mean transport cannot be treated as a box to tick at the end. It needs to shape the scheme from the start.
My advice to developers, architects and planning consultants is simple. Bring your transport consultant in at concept stage, and take them into your pre-application meeting. A short conversation early on can save months of delay later.
If you have a scheme coming up and want a second pair of eyes on the transport side, our team at Fotom Consulting would be glad to help. Book a consultation through the link in the comments.
