Cargo bike deliveries can be a key component in cleaning up our air as London recovers from the pandemic, local London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani AM, has said. At the latest London Assembly Plenary meeting (10th June), Mr Hirani gained assurances from the Commissioner for Transport for London, Andy Byford, that measures were being taken to mitigate the emissions produced by delivery vans and light goods vehicles on the capital’s roads.
In response to questioning from Mr Hirani, Mr Byford said that TfL had recently completed studies into ten freight consolidation projects across London. These projects could see supply chains broken down into smaller sections that could allow for greener, last mile shipments such as cargo bike delivery and click and collect locker collection from transport hubs.
This follows on from the Mayor of London’s Freight and Servicing Action Plan, published in 2019, which aims to reduce the number of lorries and vans entering central London during the morning peak by 10 per cent by 2026.
During the meeting, the TfL Commissioner revealed that van traffic on London’s roads is down 15% overall on pre-pandemic levels, but said that the capital had seen an increase in delivery vehicles.
Mr Byford said that TfL would keep a close eye on these levels, especially when the next stage of the roadmap out of the COVID-19 restrictions takes place.
He also assured Mr Hirani that the roll-out of the ULEZ and scrappage schemes for vans and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) were already incentivising businesses of all sizes to upgrade their delivery fleets.
Local London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani AM, said:
“The roads have been getting noticeably busier across Brent and Harrow as lockdown measures have eased. But we can’t afford a car-led recovery coming out of the pandemic.
“London’s economic recovery must be also used as a turning point for making more progress on clamping down on toxic air and encouraging more people to walking and cycle where they can.
“I was pleased to receive reassurances from Andy Byford that TfL are keeping a close eye on the levels of van traffic and light goods vehicles on our roads.
“Cargo bikes and click and collect lockers seem to be the way forward. So, it is vital that TfL are putting in the proactive work now to collaborate with business and distributors of all sizes to make their supply and shipment chains greener”.
Author: Krupesh Hirani
Date of publication: 14 June 2021
