RHA calls on London Mayor to appoint Logistics Commissioner

The report, Supplying Our Cities: The London Logistics Report, states that “a well placed Mayoral Logistics Commissioner could consult on the appropriateness of upcoming policy and provide a helpful bridge between private and public interests, convening the concerns of each party and facilitating consensus.”

RHA’s report also calls for operators to be given a stronger voice in policy making, for the needs of lorries and coaches to be included in local policies, and for a review of the suitability of existing regulations.

It follows a recent RHA survey revealing that 95% of hauliers said they did not enjoy working in or feel valued working in London. 

Launching the report today (4 March) Richard Smith, RHA managing director said: “The commercial vehicle sector is a critical economic enabler so we need to ensure operators are fully supported to move people and goods into the capital as smoothly as possible.

“Transport businesses and drivers overwhelmingly tell us that they don’t feel welcome operating in London so we need to change that equation.

“Improved collaboration between decisionmakers and our sector can help the Mayor successfully deliver his London Growth Plan priorities on housing and infrastructure.”

 Key recommendations in the report include:

• Representation: give operators a voice in policy making
• Appoint a Logistics Commissioner - supported by a Commercial Vehicle Operator Advisory Council combining public and private sector voices.
• Ensure city working groups on relevant subjects e.g. roads, tourism etc. include participants from the commercial vehicle sector.
• Operations: help us to do the jobs you need us to do
• Local Transport Plans to include specific Freight and Coach policies, and consider what provision is required in Local Plans to allow the safe operation of these vehicles.
• A review of urban freight corridors to identify options to reduce journey times, travel distances and idle running time.
• Ensure the delivery of accessible parking spaces, loading bays and signage designed to aid the safe and efficient use of commercial vehicles.
• Regulations: let’s make sure they do what we want them to do
• Conduct a thorough review of current London existing regulations, to ensure a fitness of purpose and applicability with advancing technology.

The full report can be found here.