Freight deserves a 'champion' in London, says FTA

The FTA has called for a freight commissioner for London to ensure mayor Sadiq Khan’s draft transport strategy is implemented.

Its suggestion coincides with the end of the consultation period for the strategy (2 October 2017).

The FTA’s 20-page report responding to the strategy rebutted proposals by TfL for a London lorry standard, arguing that standards needed to be set nationally or internationally, as manufacturers design trucks for European markets not individual cities.

It disagreed with plans to bring forward the start date for the London Ultra Low Emission Zone to April 2019, and called for incentives to encourage the uptake of alternatively-fuelled vehicles.

It also criticised the Direct Vision Standard, arguing cameras and mirrors “give drivers a view that no amount of direct vision could replace”.

FTA head of policy for London Natalie Chapman said: “As London’s economy reinforces its position at the heart of 21st century Britain, its freight businesses urgently need – and deserve - a champion.”

“The logistics required to keep London moving are becoming increasingly complex, and need to be prioritised. Operators have made huge strides in improving the efficiency of deliveries and servicing the capital.”

The FTA said the mayor’s proposal for multi-modal transport was likely to have little effect in terms of reducing the amount of overall freight. But it did support the mayor’s plan to implement a city-specific portal for information and registration for schemes such as the Congestion Charge, ULEZ and London Lorry Control scheme, to relieve admin and provide clarity.

The CILT also responded to the consultation. Its report argued the draft should better promote policies to drive modal shift and commitment to infrastructure projects such as Crossrail 2.

It said the transport strategy should be amended to focus on improving the efficiency of the supply chain rather than regulating vehicle access, type and timings and recognise that freight vehicles are rarely interchangeable between functions or sectors.

CILT head of policy Daniel Parker-Klein said: "The strategy contains many commendable objectives designed to meet the challenges London’s transport system faces but we have concerns whether the plans are sufficiently strong and well developed.”

The FTA and CILT both called for industrial land for future logistics and warehousing to be set aside, as the price of land in London continues to rise.