Industry stays strong despite city centre riots
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By the CM news team
WIDESPREAD RIOTING in London and beyond has failed to halt daily deliveries, with the road transport industry working to maintain supply lines despite widespread disruption.
The Metropolitan Police Service described Monday (8 August) as the worst night of disorder “seen in current memory” in the capital, which sees an average of 295,000 freight trips a day.
A spokesman for Stobart Group conirms: “We have had problems this morning (Tuesday 9 August) with deliveries into certain parts of London, with at least two or three drops unable to be carried out.
“Cash and carry stores in areas affected appear to be an issue. We are working closely with customers to make sure any potential hotspots are identiied and if it’s safe to go ahead with deliveries.” Ian Pizzey, commercial manager, network operations at Royal Mail, tells CM: “We have obviously had no choice other than to suspend collections and deliveries from the worst hit cordoned-off areas. In terms of advice to drivers, the police have advised to keep doors locked when travelling at low speeds.” Tradeteam says its Enield depot in north-west London is running as normal. John Crosk, transport operations manager at Tradeteam, says: “Some pubs in the badly affected areas aren’t trading so aren’t requiring deliveries at the moment. We’re running a normal service at the moment, but we are monitoring the situation.” Watford-based Stand & Deliver continues to work in the capital, making deliveries into Croydon and Canning Town. Director Paul Shone says: “We could leave someone to guard our vehicles in the depot, or double-man on deliveries, but it’s not going to stop an attack. That’s the police’s job.” Leigh Pomlett, president of northern Europe for CEVA, says: “Maintaining full operational capability is clearly challenging in the present circumstances. We are working with our customers to minimise disruption, and will monitor developments closely to maintain the security of our operations and the safety of our staff.” A spokesman for Kuehne + Nagel adds: “We are monitoring the situation. Our policy is not to compromise staff safety and load security.” With sporadic looting having spread to Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham and Bristol, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) is urging transport planners to keep drivers out of areas where disturbances are occurring.
The Forum of Private Business is warning hauliers to check their vehicle insurance and check for civil disorder or riot exemptions. “The Association of British Insurers is suggesting you will still be covered, but in truth it’s a grey area and you need to check your individual policy with your broker,” says a spokesman.