Following the successful engagement Transport for London (TfL) had with the road transport industry in the build up to, and during, the Olympic Games, it’s satisfying to hear that TfL has set up a new, free-standing Freight Delivery Unit.
The official line from TfL is that the unit will “co-ordinate all of TfL’s freight and delivery fleet activity, and work closely with industry partners to build on the lessons from the Games”.
Headed up by Ian Wainwright - the man who kept London’s deliveries flowing during the Games and got the right information out to our industry – the new unit proves that TfL bosses are finally putting freight higher up the agenda.
Wainwright will report directly to Ben Plowden, TfL director of planning and surface transport, which speaks volumes about the importance freight is now being given by TfL, my sources tell me. Plowden is responsible for the strategic planning of the £3bn per annum investment and operational programmes for TfL Surface Transport, which covers London's road network, traffic management, bus priority, walking and the public realm, cycling, road safety, the river, and now freight.
MT forged a good relationship with Wainwright and his team when he was running the road freight management programme for London 2012, and we plan to keep that relationship going with the new division.
A catch-up with Mr Wainwright has been requested. The Hub will keep you posted!