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Norwich bus lanes may tempt LGVs to use consolidation site
Page 12
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LGVs in Norwich could be allowed into the city's bus and cycle lanes in return for using the local consolidation centre. Chris Tindall reports.
NORFOLK COUNTY Council is trying to boost interest in a freight consolidation centre among retailers by allowing trucks in bus and cycle lanes to speed up deliveries.
The freight transhipment centre (FTC), based on the outskirts of Norwich, opened for business last August. However, Foulger Transport, which won the contract to run it, reports that winning new business has been difficult.
Unlike a similar operation in Bristol, the Norwich FTC is only aartly funded by the local author ity. As a result customers must pay for use of the centre as well as the delivery of goods into Norwich.
Graham Mayes, business development manager at the FTC, says: "Commercial interest has been exceedingly low.Norwich has come at it from a completely different angle to Bristol, where the council pays for the scheme in its entirety.
"I've talked to the council on a number of occasions; currently there's no stick to force customers to join the scheme and no carrot to incentivise them to join." However, the county council is now considering trialling the use of bus and cycle lanes on the All in Norwich by trucks from the FTC. This would help operators guarantee deliveries to shops and businesses at specific times.
David Sprunt, Norwich area transportation co-ordinator, says it is attempting to avoid the dilemma now facing Bristol's local authority: —The big problem is the burden on the council.
"The scheme has been successful and now it's very difficult for them to withdraw the funding. We were highly aware of that."
The bus lane proposal will be put before a joint committee this week with a view to launching a trial in the spring.
Sprunt adds:"'There will only be a handful [of LGVsJ —three to five a day. It's trying to give shops and businesses added value to getting a delivery. We're looking at one or two other things we could do in addition to that."
FOR MORE ON THIS AND RELATED SUBJECTS
www.roadtrans DO 11.COM/CM