The London Assembly Transport Committee has published a letter to the Mayor of London with a number of recommendations to ensure safe, clean and efficient freight in the capital.
According to the committee, the huge volume of freight traffic in London contributes to congestion and poor air quality and affects safety on London’s roads, but moving freight around efficiently is vital to London’s economy.
Therefore, the committee has made several recommendations to Transport for London (TfL), including:
• Creating more Click & Collect points at stations;
• Carrying out further research into the growth in light goods vehicles in London;
• Using, where possible, the river, rail or canals to move building materials for major TfL projects;
• Reinstating a dedicated freight team, led by a senior officer in TfL.
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, Chair of the Transport Committee, said, “The efficient movement of freight around London is an important part of London’s economy. However, there is a fine balance between economics benefit and environmental impacts.
“Many deliveries, particularly last mile, contribute to congestion on the capital’s roads. It’s important that other modes of transport to move freight across the capital are used far more, such as the river or rail.
“The Committee has made a number of recommendations for TfL to consider for their forthcoming Freight and Servicing Action Plan.”
Watch a video on how The London Assembly Transport Committee is investigating how to move freight across the capital more efficiently here.