Amazon last mile logistics hub in London approved

A last mile logistics hub, which will result in 23,000 fewer vehicle journeys in central London each year, has been given the green light by council planners.

In what is the first such scheme to be approved by the City of London Corporation, 39 car parking spaces within the London Wall Car Park will be transformed into a hub for Amazon Logistics.

It will enable the final leg of Amazon’s parcel deliveries to instead be undertaken by e-cargo bikes and people on foot.

Country director at Amazon Logistics, Kerry-Anne Lawlor, said: “Amazon is excited to have been chosen by the City of London Corporation as its partner for its first last mile logistics hub, supporting it in delivering freight targets laid out in the transport strategy.”

Amazon Logistics is expected to be able to complete all deliveries within a 2km radius of the hub without the need for vans. This covers the entirety of the City of London plus some additional parts of central London.

The City of London Corporation’s transport strategy outlines the need to reduce the impact of freight on the city through the use of last mile logistics hubs.

Alastair Moss, chair of the planning and transportation committee at the City of London Corporation, said: “The Amazon last mile logistics hub alone will take up to 85 vehicles off the roads each day, meaning up to 23,000 less vehicle journeys in central London every year.

“The City Corporation’s ambitious Climate Action Strategy sets a target of reaching net zero carbon emission by 2040 and radical initiatives, such as the Amazon logistics hub, will be key in realising that goal.”

The City of London Corporation aims to deliver two additional last mile logistics hubs by 2022 and is aiming for a total of five by 2025.