TfL fights for night-time deliveries in Olympics
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NIGHT-TIME deliveries could receive a nationwide and longterm boost from the Olympic Games in London next year as two major government bodies continue to push for their use to combat widespread delivery disruption throughout the South-East.
Speaking at the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Olympic conference last week (11 May), Transport for London (TfL) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) sold night-time deliveries as the solution for ensuring London’s 295,000 daily freight trips continue once day-time deliveries are restricted along the 174km Olympic Route Network for 100 days around the Games.
Ian Wainwright, senior policy officer – freight at TfL, says: “If this works during the Games we will see a big win longer term. It would mean less congestion for us and more flexibility regarding deliver ies for [operators] once we bring the local authorities around.” However, delegates at the conference voiced concerns about the security implications of late-night deliveries and the potential for congestion in a limited delivery window.
London’s Lorry Control Scheme, which restricts night-time and weekend access for vehicles over 18 tonnes, is also seen as a significant hurdle.
A spokeswoman for London Councils, which administers the scheme for the London Boroughs, says: “The scheme will still be in force for the duration of the Games. Relaxing the scheme will categorically not reduce congestion during the day, but it would increase night-time traffic, noise and air pollution, as hauliers would use central London as a cut through.
“Night-time deliveries clearly have their attractions, but big stores such as supermarkets can only accept a few deliveries during the night because of shortage of storage space, and will continue to need to have deliveries regularly through the day.”