City of London to roll out zero-emission zones from 2022

The City of London will launch its first Zero Emission Zones (ZEZ) by 2022 with the rest of the Square Mile following suit by 2030.

Its plans are set out in the City Corporation’s recently published draft transport strategy, following a public consultation.

It makes clear that the City is committed to rolling out its ZEZ programme, with or without the blessing of the next Mayor of London and reveals that the first three ZEZs will be launched in 2022 at The Barbican, Golden Lane Estates and the City Cluster.

The report also proposes a 15% cut in the number of freight vehicles travelling into the City by 2030, rising to a 30% reduction by 2044.

It states: “These figures reflect the timescales for implementing new freight infrastructure and operating models and recognise that there is always likely to be a need for some deliveries to be made by motor vehicles."

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In addition the Corporation wants a 50% fall in the number of motorised freight vehicles at peak periods by 2030 rising to a cut of 90% by 2044.

The report notes that this target "reflects the need to work with City businesses and the freight industry to enable significant retiming of deliveries. The longer term target also recognises that some freight, such as construction materials and some exceptional business critical deliveries, will not be able to be retimed."

As part of  plans to cut motorised freight deliveries, the Corporation will also appoint a “partner haulier” to provide a consolidation service for the Square Mile by 2022.

It also proposes a major logistics hub be established by 2030, which will co-locate major suppliers in a single warehouse, alongside consolidation, waste collection and couriering services.

Five last-mile logistics hubs are also on the cards, with the first two opening in 2022.

Other plans  include:

• A City-wide 15mph speed restriction from 2022
• Permitting night-time deliveries where there is negligible impact on residents
• New developments to have deliveries limited between 7am-10am, 12pm-2pm and 4pm-7pm
• Working with London Councils, TfL and neighbouring local authorities to modernise the London Lorry Control Scheme to generate more opportunities for out of peak and night-time deliveries
• Increased use of the Thames to move freight in and out of the City