Collaboration between Transport for London (TfL) and the freight industry is the key to delivering new Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s road transport electoral promises, is the message from the organisation to attendees at Commercial Fleet Van & Truck show.

The new Mayor was elected on a remit which includes reduced emissions to improve air quality, increased safety for all road users and to tackle congestion without compromising the economic contribution the sector plays in the fortunes of the capital.

Solutions will come about as a result of a collaborative approach, TfL’s Tim Ward, freight and fleet communications and engagement manager, will tell delegates when he takes to the stage as part of the event’s plenary theatre sessions on 20 September.

Commented Ward: “Freight was included in the Mayor’s manifesto and we have been developing an approach that can be included in the new Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Together, the freight industry and TfL have tough issues to overcome, but it is also a very exciting time. We want our approach to be one of working with the industry to implement the challenging policies of the new Mayor, especially around air quality, rather than imposing changes and placing unreasonable demands upon operators.

“We adopted a collaborative approach with the sector in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics with consultations and forums resulting in the likes of CLOCS and we have continued to broaden, deepen and enhance that relationship.”

One of the ways the relationship with the sector has been strengthened is through the LoCity scheme, a TfL initiative enabling the freight operators to work with the organisation to come up with solutions to improve air quality.

Meanwhile, the Mayor has published proposals which include extending the Ultra Low Emissions Zone beyond central London from 2020 - for motorcycles, cars and vans, to the North and South Circular; and for lorries, buses and coaches London-wide; its introduction a year earlier in 2019; and implementing a £10 Emissions Surcharge or the ‘T-charge’ on the most polluting vehicles, all vehicles with pre-Euro 4 emission standards, likely to be vehicles registered before 2005, entering central London from 2017.  Consultations have already taken place and more will follow.

Ward added: “When you consider a third of peak time traffic is freight related, that has serious implications for the sector. At the same time air pollution kills 9,500 people a year so we have to do something about it, the Mayor has made a pledge to improve air quality so we have to work together to deliver. However, we also need to understand what we need to do to support the industry to make this happen such as the implementation of more charging points for electric vehicles.”

TfL will also use the opportunity at the show to speak to operators and other stakeholders and Ward and his team will be available to ask questions and raise concerns throughout the day.

Commercial Fleet Van & Truck Show takes place from 20-21 September at Millbrook Proving Ground, more information can be found here http://vanandtruck.commercialfleet.org/ including registration for attendance.

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