Written evidence submitted by Cross River Partnership (URB0061)

Summary of integrated strategies and wider considerations

There is not one solution to solving the problem of traffic congestion, there may need to be some city-wide initiatives in addition to local projects to address specific issues.

Overall, a behaviour change to help individuals and businesses understand how their purchasing activities impact upon delivery journeys and a modal shift to healthier forms of transport are key to realising long-term change.

Who we are

Cross River Partnership (CRP) is a public-private partnership that has been delivering regeneration projects in London since 1994.

CRP is currently delivering a range of regeneration programmes in the central London sub-region, which each contribute to the achievement of one or more of these objectives.

• Sustainable employment opportunities
• Economic growth and prosperity
• Air quality and carbon reduction
• Making places that work

Cross River Partnership is a voluntary association of local authorities, business organisations and other strategic agencies relevant to London. We deliver programs alongside Transport for London, the Greater London Authority, our eight central London boroughs, and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

Our central London focussed programs include management of the West End Partnership’s Freight Programme, the Clean Air Better Business (CABB) program funded through the Mayor’s Air Quality fund and the Central London Sub Regional Transport Partnership (CLSRTP) funded through Transport for London.  Cross River Partnership is also delivering ambitious programmes to reduce freight and waste vehicles, and improve air quality with our Business Improvement District Partners New West End Company and Heart of London Business Alliance.

We also lead a number of European funded projects which include Freight Electric Vehicles in Urban Europe (FREVUE) and Freight Tailored Approaches to Innovative Logistics Solutions (FreightTAILS). Recently we participated in the Last Mile Logistics (LAMiLO) project which aimed to create a step change in freight deliveries by fully considering the last mile of a supply chain when planning a freight logistics journey.

Additional information on our projects and programs can be found in Appendix A and at www.crossriverpartnership.org.

Acknowledgement of traffic congestion issues affecting London

CRP acknowledges the growing impact of traffic congestion on London. We recognise that the increased demand for road space is causing congestion leading to unacceptable impacts on London’s productivity and Londoners’ health.

We recognise that the effects of transport congestion are set to increase as London’s demand for goods and services rise alongside expected population growth.  The impact of traffic congestion on poor air quality is of particular concern to CRP, its partners, and increasingly the general public.  Many of our projects seek to address these issues.

We must ensure that London remains an attractive place to do business and that our urban environment enhances the quality of life and health of workers, residents and visitors alike.

We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience in the fields of transport and air quality with the London Assembly and offer considerations for improvement.

CRP Response

This response is broken down in to a number of themes based on the information being sought by the House of Commons and CRP’s relevant expertise.

Integrated strategies:

#1  The role of the business community in relation to congestion

At CRP we are working alongside Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and our borough partners to address the issues associated with congestion and air quality. One of the ways we are working with businesses is through our Clean Air Better Business (CABB) programme which is funded through the Mayor’s Air quality fund and public and private sector partners. Through CABB, businesses have a key role to play in improving air quality in London by influencing how employees, suppliers, customers and visitors travel.

What we know

• Procurement and preferred supplier schemes: With the support of CABB BIDs, hundreds of businesses are using their buying power to support suppliers who take air quality seriously and to reduce unnecessary trips by delivery vehicles. For example:
• By procuring collectively members of The Fitzrovia Partnership saved over £200,000 in just one year at the same time as reducing the impact their supply chains have on local congestion and air quality.
• Victoria BID’s Zero and Low Emission Supplier Directory can be used by businesses to identify suppliers that operate zero or low emission fleets
• Delivery Servicing Plans: On Oxford Street West and at key buildings across London – saving businesses time and money
• Reducing personal deliveries to the workplace: We have launched a new interactive web based tool called click.collect.cleanair to identify the most convenient parcel collection points around London.
• Research & Awareness: CRP are engaging with businesses along Oxford Street West to understand their freight use and identify areas where interventions could make the most significant improvement.  Early findings are identifying the highest trip generators by business in addition to bringing businesses into the conversation on freight, deliveries and servicing. 
• Influencing employee travel choices:
• Employers are encouraging staff to travel sustainably by providing access to bikes for short trips. This helps cut travel costs and makes for a healthier, more–engaged workforce. One business commented that, ‘staff loved having access to a company’ bike provided by our BID, Camden Town Unlimited. One of the partners used it so much we are now looking into the possibility of purchasing one for the office’.
• CABB is a forum for communicating TfL’s cycling work places program which provides discounted Santander Cycle Hire business accounts.
• Collaborative working:
• To address congestion from deliveries and servicing CRP are providing programme management for the West End Partnership (WEP) Deliveries & Servicing Group, which brings together representatives from TfL, Westminster City Council, the borough of Camden, businesses, logistics operators and residents to identify and implement best practice solutions in a specific area. 
• Encouraging mode shift: Promoting walking or cycling brings a number of benefits to individuals as well as businesses.  Cycling in particular is an efficient and cheap way to travel across London and has health, environmental and economic benefits.
• CRP is working with the New West End Company (NWEC) to deliver an Air Quality Business Assessment Tool. This tool will be used by businesses to help identify actions that can improve air quality such as providing cycle-friendly workplaces and encouraging visitors to arrive in the West End using low-emission travel modes. [1]
• Fleet choices:
• FREVUE in London is working in partnership with UPS to demonstrate that last-mile, consolidated deliveries can be done using EVs
• By converting their fleets to ultra-low emission capable vehicles, businesses are capable of cutting emissions and planning ahead to avoid ULEZ charges. CABB is communicating how the switch is made easier with government grants of up to £4,500 off the purchase price.
• Reducing exposure to pollution hotspots: Businesses are encouraging staff and customers to reduce their exposure to pollutants, by taking safer, ‘low-exposure’ walking routes. This is being achieved by:
• Promoting awareness of initiatives such as the Wellbeing Walk which provides a safer, cleaner and more pleasant route between Kings Cross and St Pancras stations and has increased footfall past many retailers.[2]
• Encouraging staff and visitors to plan their journeys using the ‘air quality travel planner’ available on many BID websites.[3]
• Eco Driver Training: Efficient driving skills training are helping fleet operators reduce their fuel usage, cut costs and lower emissions. One driver commented an increase from 47 to miles per gallon. An equivalent to a saving of 23% in fuel costs.
• Communication and behavioural change: As part of the CABB anti-idling campaign volunteers from central London businesses spoke with over 500 drivers, asking them not to idle when parked. Drivers who pledged not to idle will collectively save over 2,200 litres of fuel and 400 tonnes of emissions a year.[4]

To be considered

• The delivery of behavioural change campaigns could bring about significant improvements in road traffic congestion and air quality.  Businesses and their employees make multiple decisions daily, small and large, which impact upon numbers of vehicle trips, particularly regarding procurement. In our experience behaviour change projects provide good value for money and can deliver:
• Reductions in CO2, NOx and particulate matter through the last-mile of the supply chain
• Improved public realm e.g. reduced freight traffic congestion
• More low carbon freight vehicles in cities
• Improved road safety
• Increased SME sustainability and competitiveness

#2 Measures to target specific types of vehicles and vehicle use

CRP understands that a key part of keeping London’s transport moving sustainably is through consideration of different vehicle modes.  Individuals benefit financially and can improve their health using modes such as cycling and walking where possible, freeing up space on the public transport network and roads.  In addition, heavily polluting vehicles can be exchanged for more modern vehicles with alternative fuel sources to tackle air pollution.

CRP is partnering with our BID partners and boroughs to see many great ideas come to fruition in central London. Below is a sample of projects underway that target specific vehicle types and movement.

What we know

• Waste and recycling vehicles consolidation: New West End Company led a waste consolidation project in Bond Street which has reduced the number of waste collection vehicles in the street by 75% and reduced waste collection costs by 25%.  During phase one of the scheme, through the appointment of two preferred waste and recycling service providers, benefits to participating businesses have included:

• 25% of annual waste removal and recycling costs saved on average
• Reduction of waste providers from 47 to 5
• 75% reduction of waste vehicles
• 40% less bags left on the street

• Supplier Consolidation: Based on the success of this, CRP is supporting New West End Company to establish the West End Buyers Club.  By combining collective purchasing power and negotiating with suppliers to reduce supply chain emission while providing access to competitively-priced goods and services to the club members.

• Delivery van consolidation: Consolidation of deliveries to Crown Estate occupiers, combined with delivery by electric vehicles has reduced van trips and local emissions along Regent St.  This was a pilot project delivered  through FREVUE.[5] 
• Waste and Freight Consolidation: FitzCloud is a trail scheme launched by Fitzrovia Partnership funded by TfL and the private sector. The pilot is a data gathering and analysis exercise, focussing on what, when, how and why member businesses are ordering the items they are ordering. The overall aim is to reduce surface transport (van deliveries), improve local air quality, and reduce member’s procurement costs.[6]The FitzCloud initiative will also support the BID’s goal of improving air quality by reducing the amount of service transport and delivery frequencies that enter the district.
• Cleaner vehicles: CRP sits on the Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS) and through this recognises that the introduction of the ULEZ will have a positive impact on reducing air pollutant emissions and CO2 from road transport and stimulate the low emission vehicle market by encouraging the uptake of cleaner vehicles. 
• Fully electric or hybrid electric car and freight vehicles: Electric freight vehicles still remain significantly more expensive than their diesel counterparts (mostly due to high battery prices). Very roughly, a 3.5t fully electric truck is 2-3 times more expensive, a 3.5t to 7.5t 2-4  times and larger trucks 4-5 times more expensive than the diesel alternative. The introduction of ULEZ (paired with other measures such as the congestion charge exception) will begin to make the business case look more favourable.  

To be considered

• There needs to be better promotion of the incentives to encourage the switch to more sustainable vehicle types. Our experience suggests organisations typically resist changes to their supply chain despite low CO2 alternatives. Barriers to change that need to be addressed include:
• Awareness of the impact of freight movements
• Perceived cost
• Low visibility of alternative solutions and their benefits
• City policies preventing an alternative solution e.g. planning conditions that ban deliveries at certain times

Wider considerations

#1 Initiatives trialled across Europe

Through CRP’s experience leading European funded FREVUE (Freight Electric Vehicles in Urban Europe), Freight TAILS (Tailored Approaches to Innovative Logistics Solutions), and our work with LaMiLo (Last Mile Logistics) projects we are familiar with initiatives trialled across Europe and beyond.  What is clear is that there is no one stand-alone solution that can be relied upon. Also clear is that what works in one place is not always easily transferrable to another location – the political, social, economic and environmental context in which our cities exist will all impact on the success of initiatives to improve the impact of urban freight movements on air pollution. A blend of different solutions should be tailored to London – and different places within London. Here are a few of the measures currently deployed in our demonstrator cities.

What we know

• Harmonisation or regulations: Harmonisation of regulations at a regional level promotes consistent and clear policy and guidelines across a city. Increasing the efficiency of transport systems is one of the most important objectives of EU transport policy, reflected in support for the consolidation and extension of core Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).[7]
• Last mile Logistics: Research commissioned by the Industrial Research and Technology Unit suggests that 85% of road freight transport in the EU is carried over distances of 150km or less, and 55% of all goods are not transported more than 50km[8].There is an opportunity to make these trips cleaner and more efficient.
• Minimum load requirements: Empty runs of freight vehicles are inefficient and should be avoided. In 2010 almost a quarter of all vehicle-km of heavy goods of HGVs in the EU involved an empty vehicle. Hauliers from Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands appear to be specialists in avoiding this but data is incomplete. [9]
• ICT solutions: The aim of TNT Express in Rotterdam and Amsterdam, within the FREVUE project framework, is to extend the electric vehicles use in parcel services. Dutch partners have introduced a standard telematics solution (provided by Sycada) in the new electric freight vehicles of TNT Express in order to monitor the energy efficiency of the vehicles and to collect data for the FREVUE project. The information monitored includes the track and trace, the temperature, cargo security as well as the driving style.[10]
• Cleaner vehicles: Different goods, logistics models, charging modes and ICT applications are part of the FREVUE demonstrator projects. In FREVUE demonstrator city Madrid, national leader in the express transport sector, SEUR, and TNT, one of the world’s largest express delivery companies both experiment with innovative and sustainable logistics solutions. For example, the companies both deploy electric vehicles and utilise consolidation centres. Charging stations have been installed at consolidation centres and at depots for overnight charging. [11]
• Access, noise and time windows restrictions: Brussels is in the process of limiting access, which will only allow vehicles of less than 3.5 tonnes into the central area within the framework of federal freight charging policy, while Maastricht is piloting one spot stop-and-drop zones within an already developed freight delivery management system. La Rochelle, France restricts access to the city centre from 6 am to 7.30 am for vehicles over 3.5t but will soon provide an exception for electric vehicles.
• Procurement policy and subsidy scheme: In the drive to expand uptake of electric vehicles, Amsterdam has introduced a system of subsidies for certain classes of vehicles. Most of the applications made through Amsterdam's subsidy scheme have been for electric delivery vehicles ass operators of these vehicles usually have a good idea of their daily mileage, and the lower fuel costs per kilometre offered by electric vehicles can be attractive to business owners. Through this scheme Amsterdam saw the launch in 2011 of Europe's first fully electric taxi company. [12]
• Pedestrianisation to create behavioural change: Measures taken by the Paris mayor to tackle air pollution range from banning cars on certain days, banning lorries, and introducing a low emission zone. Other interesting elements include pedestrianising key areas along the Seine, plans to pedestrianise historic areas, and measures to change perceptions and encourage the change from diesel to electric vehicles – by hosting the Formula E in Paris for example.[13]
• Technology: Sydney, Australia has released a smart citywide dashboard. On a single page the dashboard details information on transport conditions, air quality and what’s trending on social media.[14]

To be considered

• More needs to be done to raise the awareness amongst non-logistics industry stakeholders such as communities and businesses on the impact of their individual choices in relation to how they purchase their goods and services, ultimately on the air quality.

• Develop programs to raise initiatives.
• Contributing to the Open Charge Map the global public registry of electric vehicle charging locations.
• Encourage more/ on-going European collaboration.
• Participate in European initiative to use policy to influence market and production of electric freight vehicles.
• Collecting real-time information about the performance of vehicles and their operations
• Understanding more about the cost associated with delivery and how logistics companies can be more open about costs, to enable savings from last mile deliveries to be realised through consolidation.

#2 Competing demand for road space

Reducing the impact of delivery vehicles on London roads requires collaboration within the freight and transport industry to change behaviour of private companies, the public sector and consumers to make better use of existing transport infrastructure and networks in order to reduce congestion, reduce harmful emissions and ultimately improve air quality in our city.

Utilising more environmentally friendly transport methods such as electric and other low emission fuel powered vehicles and wherever possible, encouraging the use of freight movement by rail and water should be considered.

What we know

• Delivery and servicing plans (both business and locality based): Implementing a bespoke delivery and servicing plan to better manage deliveries to the commercial and retail sector; will in turn reduce the impact of deliveries on local streets. CRP has commissioned studies at multiple sites across central London. The studies show that measures such as using a preferred courier for outbound collection, reducing personal deliveries or provision of dedicated on-street loading bays help to reduce local emissions.
• Consolidation solutions
• Urban freight consolidation: The deployment of urban consolidation centres play an important role not only in improving congestion but also air pollution as they enable or facilitate the deployment of electric freight vehicles. These solutions are often initiated or supported by the private sector to reduce the number of vehicles, facilitate the efficiency of freight vehicles loading / unloading in delivery bays, and reduce conflict on streets.
• Construction sector consolidation:  At the Stockholm Royal Seaport development, the use of a construction consolidation centre has been mandated. This development in the city district Norra Djurgårdsstaden is one of Europe’s most extensive city development areas.[15] As part of this development minimum load requirement for deliveries are mandated. All vehicles carrying limited volumes, i.e. less than five euro pallets, delivering to the building site are obliged to unload at the consolidation centre. Larger deliveries are allowed to enter the area but only after booking a specific time slot and paying a fee.
• Collaborative working and cross sector working groups: CRP is represented on the Central London Freight Quality Partnership (CLFQP) and programme manages the West End Partnership (WEP) Deliveries & Servicing Group which provides a platform for public and private sector interests to develop innovative new ways of working together to address problems with freight in central London. The CLFQP brings together service providers, local businesses and employers, and other public sector organisations as part of an on-going forum on sustainable solutions for freight access and services issues in central London, taking full account of local economic, environmental and social factors.[16]
• Last mile logistics and the online retail sector: By 2025 the online retail sector will account for almost 20% of total retailing.[17] It is an important part of the supply chain where environmental and efficiency gains can be made. Utilising electric vehicles for the last mile or consolidating loads are just a couple of examples of how the last leg can be made in a more sustainable way. FREVUE is working alongside UPS as it transforms its urban delivery network in London. [18]
• Redirecting personal deliveries: Employers are promoting alternatives to having personal deliveries made to the workplace. This is helping reduce congestion and pollution and reduces staff time spent receiving and distributing packages. This is being achieved by:
• Informing staff of alternative delivery options.
• Providing  trial subscriptions to parcel management service.
• For example, one international department store based in London that CRP have worked with has prohibited personal deliveries and is promoting alternative locations where deliveries are better consolidated e.g. Click & Collect, or don’t need to enter central London e.g. Collect Plus / Doddle. The work place has eliminated an average of 25 packages per day arriving. As well as reducing emissions, this reduces the time required for staff to handle packages.

To be considered

• Sustainable delivery and servicing plans to be mandated as part of a development application, new businesses or changes in operations.
• To make consolidation centres work support is required to:
• Secure affordable and suitable sites close to city centres.
• Establish such a scheme and to gain acceptance amongst key stakeholders.
• Provide financial or in-kind support, at least until the scheme is well established.
• Allow the industry to innovate by standardising regulations amongst cities.
• Deliver incentives to encourage more sustainable last mile delivery trips.
• Off-peak deliveries preference for electric vehicles as they are quieter.
• Dedicated un/loading areas to ensure delivery vehicles do not block the roads and cause further congestion/pollution.
• Pre-booking systems for un/loading areas.

9 December 2016

Appendix A

How we operate

CRP develops, fundraises for and delivers programmes that add value at a sub-regional level to the individual activities of its public and private partners. CRP operates with Westminster City Council as its legal authority.

CRP delivers projects via a number of programs targeted at addressing various regeneration issues in central London. The following is a summary of programmes delivering transport focused initiatives:

1. Central London Sub Regional Transport Partnership (CLSRTP)

CRP facilitates this partnership of the eight central London boroughs (Camden, City, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Lambeth, Southwark, Wandsworth and Westminster) on behalf of Transport for London. The partnership undertakes research and trials innovative schemes involving both Local Authorities and BIDs to support growth and place making, encourage uptake of active and sustainable transport modes, improve air quality, and make the transport system more efficient. In 2015/16 the partnership facilitated:

•     A secure cycle parking demand and feasibility study
•     An area-based delivery and servicing review
•     A waste consolidation improvement programme
•     European funding for tailored freight logistics programme (FreightTAILS)
•     A scoping study for a Low Emission Neighbourhood

2. Freight TAILS

CRP has successfully levered in funding from URBACT III to deliver Freight TAILS - Tailored Approaches to Innovative Logistics Solutions. Freight TAILS will share best practice  and learning between 10 different European cities,  and write this up in the form of city-specific Integrated  Action Plans to achieve freight management that is as   consolidated, clean and safe as it can be.

3. Freight Electric Vehicles in Urban Europe (FREVUE)

CRP is the lead partner for this 30-strong trans-national partners Programme to trial different sizes and types of freight electric vehicles across 8 countries across different climates, industry sectors and policy environments. Detailed statistical results will begin to come through during 2016/17, showing the real contribution that freight electric vehicles (including large electric vehicles) could make to air quality and a cleaner London. This programme is funded by the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme.

4. West End Partnership Freight Programme (WEP)

As part of this work, WEP have set up Freight Group to pull together all the current projects working to reduce freight. The development of a plan to 2020 will ensure that enough is being done to keep the West End moving, with goods and services coming and going efficiently. The programme will look at reduction, re-timing and consolidation of freight movements, in addition to increasing ultra-low emission vehicle projects to deliver commercial, health and air quality benefits.

5. Clean Air Better Business (CABB)

Fresh from the success of Clean Air Better Business Phase 1, CRP is now delivering Clean Air Better Business Phase 2 with 16 inner London boroughs and BID partners, funded by the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund. An exciting programme of collaborative behaviour change activities will be delivered with business over the next three years.

6. New West End Air Quality Strategy

Cross River Partnership is working with New West End Company to deliver a strategy to improve air quality in the busy West End shopping area. This Air Quality Strategy aims to deliver a significant reduction in air pollution between 2016 and 2020. It complements the action that will simultaneously be undertaken by public authorities, including Westminster City Council and Transport for London. Initiatives of the program include:

• Consolidating suppliers (via the West End Buyers Club)
• Developing and implementing Delivery and Servicing Plans
• Providing cycle-friendly workplaces
• Encouraging visitors to arrive in the West
• End using low-emission travel modes

7. Oxford Street West Business Engagement Research

• Extensive research with businesses within the district to understand their current procurement and resultant deliveries and servicing activities.
• Discussing the issues around high volumes of freight and servicing vehicles in the district, and helping businesses consider implementing more efficient practice

8. Heart of London Deliveries, Waste and Recycling Plan

• Development of a plan to reduce the visibility and volume of delivery and servicing vehicles in the Heart of London area; plus a reduction in the visibility of waste on the street
• 4-year programme to support the delivery of this plan by engaging businesses through a variety of measures including preferred supplier schemes; waste reduction; reduce personal deliveries to the office.

9. Fitzrovia Partnership Business Improvement District Support

• Cross River Partnership is providing project management services to The Fitzrovia Partnership BID to deliver its ambitious sustainability objectives. CRP is coordinating these activities, working in-house with The Fitzrovia Partnership to continue the delivery of their freight consolidation, and commercial waste and recycling schemes. We are championing a cleaner, greener Fitzrovia with high quality public realm additionally addressing air quality issues.