The major and growing challenges of congestion, air quality and climate change are clearly recognised as critical planning issues within the NPPF.

4.29 The transport system needs to be balanced in favour of sustainable transport modes,
giving people real choice about how they travel.
4.32 Plans and decisions should take account of whether:
the opportunities for sustainable transport modes have been taken up, depending on the nature and location of the site, to reduce the need for major transport infrastructure.
4.35 Plans should ... be designed ... to give priority to pedestrian and cycle movements, and give access to high quality public transport facilities.

The SA consultation considers "Likely Effects of the Local Plan Modifications" (pp 21-25) on Transport & Accessibility, Air Quality and Climate Change. It acknowledges in each case the "potential to increase the significance of negative effects". It then comments on "a range of mitigation strategies ... which will contribute to reducing the extent of these negative effects" but will not eliminate them.
The SA also shows extensive colour coded charts featuring numerous question marks in the various boxes. Thus we are offered a verbose, shuffling, imprecise narrative, which suggests the outcome may not be all that bad.