Transport planner

Transport planners work at the cutting edge of a council’s operations. It’s their responsibility to make sure people can access work, school, leisure and shopping with minimum impact on the environment and maximum impact on the council’s social and economic goals.

They are employed in county, district, metropolitan and unitary councils and play such a vital role that they can even be promoted to chief executive level. They will be in the forefront of the traffic congestion charging strategy being discussed by the Government.

Did you know?
Despite its importance to the country’s infrastructure, the first professional framework for transport planning was only drawn up only 10 years ago with the formation of the Transport Planning Society.

Facts and Figures

  • Starting salary:

    Around £18,500-£25,000, may be more with postgraduate qualifications. Experienced transport planners can earn around £35,000.

  • Senior level salary:

    A senior transport planner in local government can earn £75,000.

  • Education:

    Most people come into transport planning with a degree, most commonly in civil engineering. A growing number have first degrees in transport, geography, mathematics, environmental studies or town planning with a transport option. The emphasis is on further study and specialisation post-entry, leading to professional qualifications such as membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, or the Institution of Highways and Transportation. A postgraduate qualification in transport planning is particularly valuable. It is also possible to work in a planning department and work towards vocational qualifications. Some local authorities and larger consultancies offer graduate training schemes.

  • Skills:

    You'll need a willingness to understand people, places and movement, together with practical skills to assess plans and proposals and oversee their implementation. This involves working with others and, where appropriate, motivating them to follow your lead. Good negotiating and team skills are essential. A high level of IT problem-solving skills is required.

  • Likely employer type:

    Planning or transportation consultancies, large unitary local authorities or county councils, strategic bus, rail and train operators, large scale freight companies, universities and research establishments.

  • Opportunities:

    There are currently 12,000 transport planners in the UK, but there is a shortage of professionals at all levels. Promotion prospects are good, but you may have to be prepared to move.

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