Performance against the Transport Planning Objectives is crucial from the practitioner's perspective since it is in their interest to seek the most effective and efficient way of meeting these objectives. The choice of the preferred option(s) and the rationale for that choice (as required in the Part 1 Appraisal) should therefore be founded upon the Transport Planning Objectives.
A summary of the performance of each option against each Transport Planning Objective is required during Part 1 Appraisal. At this stage, it is recommended that this will be a wholly qualitative appraisal based on the likely impacts of the option against each Transport Planning Objective. However, where quantitative information is available without expending significant additional resources this can also be used to inform the Part 1 Appraisal.
A qualitative assessment should be completed for each option, against each Transport Planning Objective, using a seven point scale assessment (described in Section 5.4), that considers the relative size and scale of impacts. It is important that practitioners provide details of why options are unlikely to meet the Transport Planning Objectives sufficiently and as such should, be rejected at this stage. The reasons for rejection should be clearly outlined.
It should be noted that options should not be recommended for Part 2 Appraisal unless they are likely to contribute sufficiently to meeting the Transport Planning Objectives and addressing the problems and/or opportunities identified.
If required, practitioners should undertake appropriate stakeholder participation and consultation in order to gain agreement on the likely performance of options against Transport Planning Objectives.
