The London Assembly transport committee is calling on the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) to reinstate a dedicated freight team.

It is one of a series of recommendations it is making to ensure safe, clean and efficient freight in the capital, ahead of the publication of TfL’s Freight and Servicing Action Plan.

Caroline Pidgeon, chair of the transport committee, said: “The efficient movement of freight around London is an important part of London’s economy. However, there is a fine balance between economics benefit and environmental impacts.

“Many deliveries, particularly last mile, contribute to congestion on the capital’s roads. It’s important that other modes of transport to move freight across the capital are used far more such as the river or rail.

“The Committee has made a number of recommendations for TfL to consider for their forthcoming Freight and Servicing Action Plan.”

In a letter to the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the committee is calling for TfL to: create more click and collect points at stations; carry out further research into the growth in light goods vehicles in London; use where possible, the river, rail or canals to move building materials for major TfL projects; and reinstate a dedicated freight team, led by a senior officer in TfL.

It follows a meeting of the transport committee, where TfL promised to unlock land for last-mile delivery companies to help operators adapt to the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ).

It also said it wants to work with suppliers to increase click and collect services, while also developing greater use of delivery lockers. 

The new Freight and Servicing Action Plan is due to be published by TfL in March.

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