TfL and Mayor of London unveil plan to clean up road freight

The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have announced a new plan to help reduce road congestion and toxic emissions caused by high volumes of road freight.

London will offer a greater number of click-and-collect points at Tube stations, as well as parcel lockers whose space TfL will be putting out to tender.

In addition, TfL will work with businesses to make micro-distribution centres available in key locations, supporting last mile deliveries by bike and “green” delivery slots based on times drivers are already in the area.

According to TfL, lorries and vans currently account for one fifth of London’s road traffic, and about one third of central London’s morning rush hour traffic.

Credit: Robert Bye

While road freight accounts for half of all household spending in London—around £79 billion a year—making it vital to the economy, lorries and vans are also responsible for a third of all nitrogen oxide emissions in the capital.

Road safety is also a major issue, as heavy goods vehicles are involved in almost two thirds of fatal crashes with cyclists, and a quarter of fatal crashes with pedestrians.

To support alternative water and rail routes, the city will be reactivating wharves and pursuing rail freight opportunities, while working with local boroughs to manage and restrict freight movements on roads.

The London Ultra Low Emission Zone will be launched next month with stricter standards for toxic emissions, while a new HGV Safety Permit Scheme will require the installation of mandatory safety equipment in vehicles, including autonomous braking systems.

Source: Transport for London