Road space re-allocation could hit logistics

As part of the Government’s plan to encourage people back to work, it has introduced measures designed to help members of the public achieve better social distancing. This includes extending the pedestrian walkways into the road ion some urban areas.

The Freight Transport Association has asked Government for clarity on the use of road space for logistics movements, after guidelines for post-COVID-19 active travel unveiled by transport secretary Grant Shapps failed to contain recommendations for the sector. 

Natalie Chapman, head of urban policy at FTA said: “The published plans overlook the key role which logistics plays in keeping cities and towns stocked with the goods and services they require, and do not provide the scope needed to ensure logistics operators can supply their customers safely and effectively

“The published statutory guidance directs councils to reallocate road space for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians but overlooks access for those who keep our cities supplied with everything they need – logistics vehicles.

“While the government seeks to encourage active travel and social distancing through its strategy, which are both laudable ambitions, there are many areas affecting the safe movement of goods and services which have been left out of the plan.

“FTA is urging authorities to provide reassurance that access to the kerbside for deliveries and servicing activity is maintained at all times – particularly as shops begin to reopen and demand for goods increases – and that any temporary reallocation of road space for walking and cycling be flexed and changed dynamically to reflect changes in demand and to ensure access for vital logistics services. Road closures and diversions must consider the increased journey times involved and the potential disruption which displaced traffic could cause on nearby roads.

“As businesses get up and running again, it is important that any enforcement against delivery vehicles is proportionate and focused on vehicles causing an obstruction to traffic flow or a danger to road safety.  It would be preferable, too, if restrictions on delivery hours could be reviewed to enable, where possible, for deliveries to take place at times when the roads are quieter, including earlier in the morning, later in the evening, overnight and at weekends to enable businesses to get back on their feet without interruption or delay.”

Courier specialist ParcelHero also welcomed the UK Government’s new Covid-19 Recovery Strategy. However, while there is much to commend in the new strategy, ParcelHero fears that the new 50-page plan will do more harm than good for an area of retail that has been positively thriving throughout the crisis.

The report specifically acknowledges: ‘Many businesses across the UK have already been highly innovative in developing new, durable ways of doing business, such as moving online or adapting to a delivery model.’ 

However, ParcelHero is concerned that the first phase of the Government’s Our Plan to Rebuild guidelines will actually hinder vital home deliveries.

ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks MILT, said: “The result of this new guidance is that jams have already formed on roads leading into London at rush hour, whereas none were seen in cities such as Glasgow, which has not recommended such a return to work without a complete transport plan. Increased congestion will make life harder and slow home deliveries, just as we come to increasingly rely on them.

“In addition, narrowed roads, rapidly introduced pop-up bike lanes and hastily conceived road closures are exactly what hard-pressed delivery drivers should not have to battle, as they seek to get food orders and goods to people’s doors.