The Olympics are a significant opportunity for operators to overcome opposition to routine night-time deliveries, according to London's transport commissioner.
Speaking at Road Transport Media's Summer Freight Planning Conference last week, Transport for London (TfL) commissioner Peter Hendy told delegates that while the Games will bring huge challenges there are also huge opportunities, not least the potential to change attitudes towards night-time deliveries.
"If we do our job well this summer we can establish a better way of working and change out of date views on freight," said Hendy.
TfL has published a guide to making night-time deliveries and Hendy urged operators to adopt the best practice it contains to build a lasting legacy for years to come. It sees greater use of night time deliveries as a long term solution to the capital's chronic congestion issues, with freight accounting for 17% of daily traffic travelling into London.
Ian Wainwright, road freight programme manager at TfL, (pictured), described the code as a compromise that will give operators greater freedom to make out of hours deliveries. It also allows councils to protect their residents, and meet their legal obligations to investigate any noise disturbance.
He says: “An area of concern [for councils] is noisy deliveries out of hours. [But] talk to the boroughs and they will work with you.”
London’s Westminster has recently published its own policy document outlining approach to out of hours deliveries, and other Olympics affected councils are expected to do the same shortly.
