Operators are once again able to apply for a £100,000 grant to support zero-emission freight consolidation across Bristol.

Originally launched in February, the scheme was temporarily halted following the impact of Covid-19 across the freight sector, but is now live again for applications.

The grant is to be spent over 12 months and can be used to set-up a new zero-emission consolidation centre, or support an existing one with the same aims.

Suppliers will need to be able to deliver goods to a site on the outskirts of the city, for onward transportation to their final destination by zero-emission vehicle.

This can be any vehicle that doesn’t produce greenhouse gas or air pollutant tailpipe emissions, such as electric vans or lorries, e-cargo bikes and e-scooters.

The project is expected to reduce the number of HGVs entering the city by consolidating deliveries using a more sustainable approach, thus improving air quality.

The new freight consolidation centre forms part of Bristol’s wider One City Plan, which aims for 95% of deliveries to the city centre to be zero emission by 2030 and a network of similar sites at all main access routes planned.

To apply for the scheme, applicants must bid through the council’s electronic portal Procontract.

Funding for the project has been provided by Go Ultra Low West, a £7m transport project that provides the infrastructure for large-scale conversion to electric and ultra-low emission vehicles.

For more information about freight consolidation, please contact the council’s transport team on air.quality@bristol.gov.uk

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