The aim of the study is to find possible ways of making deliveries more efficient (possibly by different retailers placing orders together or using single drop-off points) which could also save businesses money, improve the public realm, create an attractive more sustainable area for doing business and reduce congestion and air pollution.
Brixton is dominated by vehicles and has higher pollution levels than Oxford Street (London Air Quality Network), this makes it undesirable for shoppers and can be hazardous to pedestrians and cyclists. The delivery of goods and services to local businesses and retailers can create additional traffic disruption and congestion through loading and unloading activities, this also brings an increase in air pollution. As Brixton Town Centre develops, there is additional pressure to develop the resilience of the road network.
We will be working with local business and retailers to find out how their goods and services are delivered currently and in the future and what issues they expect to encounter. Traffic surveys will also be conducted to gain a better understanding of how loading and parking bays in the area are used and their occupancy rates. Following various site visits and in discussion with key stakeholders, CCTV cameras have been located on the following roads during September:
- Atlantic Road
- Electric Avenue and
- Pope’s Road
On completion of the survey the cameras will be removed.
Other ways to ease congestion
Lambeth is also leading the way to reduce traffic in other areas of the borough with their Low Emission Logistics initiative. This is a partnership with Southwark, Croydon and Wandsworth councils. The project has identified a potential reduction in emissions of forty percent from reducing the frequency of deliveries made to the administrative buildings in each authority. Local businesses from each borough are also invited to get in touch so that Lambeth can help them to save money and make a greater improvement to air quality.
During the approach to Christmas we expect the number of vans on the road to increase. This adds to the existing air pollution and congestion particularly in central London, however having deliveries sent to home addresses also creates wasted journeys and failed delivery attempts. The rise in alternative collection locations such as Parcelly, Doddle, Click and Collect and Amazon/InPost locker banks provides an answer to this problem. By using a collection location close to home working Londoners can have the convenience of guaranteed deliveries without adding to the existing problems of congestion and poor air quality. We are asking Londoners to consider using these alternative locations to help us to reduce congestion and improve air quality.
