Transport for London (TfL), London Councils and London’s business community have today confirmed that they will be sympathetic to companies that need to make or receive out-of-hours deliveries in London during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The pragmatic approach was endorsed by London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee last week, when they approved a statement to help local authorities explain the position on night-time deliveries during the Games.

The statement makes it clear that councils will be supportive and sympathetic to the needs of businesses needing out-of-hours deliveries during the 2012 Games, when deliveries to businesses on the Olympic Route Network, in central London and around venues will be affected by Games-related restrictions on key parts of the capital’s road network.

London boroughs reserve the right to continue to enforce against businesses that are inconsiderate or disturb local communities, especially if complaints are received about excessive noise being made when making or receiving deliveries.

Good steps to minimise the chance of any enforcement action include following the Code of Practice and in particularly sensitive areas businesses are advised to discuss this issue with local borough councils in advance.

In order to support the needs of London’s residents and those of the freight industry and businesses affected by Games-time restrictions, TfL has today published the final Code of Practice for out-of-hours deliveries.

The code, which was developed with the Noise Abatement Society and the Freight Transport Association, provides businesses and delivery companies with simple, practical guidance on how to minimise noise from night-time deliveries and is available now on the TfL website.

London’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said: “The challenges surrounding deliveries during the Games are considerable.

“However, the success of the quieter out-of-hours delivery trials we’ve commissioned in recent months clearly demonstrate that out-of-hours deliveries can, and I believe will, play a vital role in ensuring London and the rest of the UK keeps on moving this summer.

“I urge businesses that make or receive deliveries in London to use the Code of Practice for all out-of-hours deliveries.

“It is up to the freight and business community to prove to London’s borough councils that they are aware of, and care about, the impact they have on the communities they deliver to.

“If the industry gets it right this summer, this is also a real opportunity for reducing congestion and improving air quality and road safety in London in the future.”

Natalie Chapman, Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of policy for London, said: “The FTA welcomes the flexible, sensible approach London’s boroughs are taking to the challenge freight operators and businesses face around making and receiving deliveries during Games-time.

“We will be urging freight operators to follow and respect the conditions laid out in the Code of Practice. If they can prove, as we believe, that out-of-hours deliveries can be made without disturbing local residents, there could be tremendous legacy benefits for the capital, both in terms of improved road safety, air quality and a reduction in day-time traffic congestion.”
 

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