London’s Draft Plan is a positive step, but there are issues to be addressed

The new Draft London Plan is a positive step for the city’s logistics sector, but there are still issues which need to be addressed, advises the Freight Transport Association (FTA).

FTA, the UK’s leading body representing the freight and logistics sectors, says the recognition of an urgent need for more industrial land is heartening, but the growing city will also need additional trucks to service businesses and residents and freight parking facilities must be incorporated into the scheme.

The Draft London Plan was launched on Friday (1 December) by London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan and the consultation will remain open until March 2018. The document sets out a proposed strategy, to shape how London evolves and develops. Once adopted, all planning decisions should follow London Plan policies.

FTA’s Head of Policy for London, Natalie Chapman, says the document makes positive steps to address the needs of the logistics industry:

“The draft London Plan shows a good understanding of some of the challenges faced by companies transporting goods in and out of the capital. Rising land values and the pressure for housing has left industrial land in short supply. This means logistics hubs have been pushed further and further from the centre, leading to longer journey times and more vehicles on the roads. FTA is pleased to see the recognition of a need for more industrial land within London. However, we would like to see space earmarked for smaller logistics hubs close to the city centre, to service the growing use of electric vehicles.”

Chapman went on to say: “One area which has not been addressed is the impact of congestion on road freight services and the growing need for truck drivers to take their legal breaks within the M25. We’d like the Mayor and his team to address the need for lorry parks in London to allow drivers to take their breaks in a secure and pleasant environment and without causing disruption to residents living along major routes.”

FTA represents members from all modes of freight transport. Chapman says many will welcome the plan’s emphasis on the increased use of water and rail to service the city’s growing population. She also highlights the importance of supporting existing businesses as housing spreads:

“Sadly, some long-established businesses have been forced to close after new housing was built close by and residents complained about noise or other disruption. FTA accepts the need for new housing in London, but those homes also need infrastructure to support them. We’re delighted to see that the plan requires developers to consider the impact of existing industry on new housing developments and places the burden on house-builders to adopt noise reducing design and even in some cases pay for sound-proofing.”

The Freight Transport Association is the UK’s largest and most influential membership association in the freight and logistics sector, with more than 16,000 members operating over 220,000 goods vehicles – half the UK’s fleet. Established in 1889, FTA’s members move goods by road, rail, sea and air, consign over 90 per cent of the UK freight moved by rail and 70 per cent of the nation’s sea and air freight.