New light freight trial

The former Dartford International Ferry Terminal, recently acquired by the PLA, is the starting point for a new, pollution-reducing trial, ferrying light freight into London by river.

The London Light Freight River Trial, a Cross River Partnership (CRP) initiative, involves a daily Thames Clippers Logistics service shuttling goods to Bankside Pier in Southwark for suppliers Lyreco and Speedy Services. It is part of the Clean Air Logistics for London programme, funded by Defra.

A second phase (from 10 March) has extended deliveries to Trinity Buoy Wharf in Tower Hamlets.

Ultra-low emission, “last-mile” deliveries to customers across the capital are operated by both Pedal Me, via e-cargo bike, and Speedy Services, using electric vans.

GRID Smarter Cities has also installed kerbside technology to aid the unloading process.

For the first time on the river, the vessels used in the trial are carrying goods on their return journey too.

A CRP trial last summer showed that using the river for light freight reduced air pollution and eased congestion. It recorded a 78% saving in NOx and an 88% saving in CO2 emissions, compared road-based deliveries.

James Trimmer, PLA planning & development director, said: “With our newly acquired wharf at Dartford paying a pivotal role, this latest trial underlines our Thames Vision 2050 commitment to ensuring that the river plays a transformational role in making the Port of London a world-leading, Net Zero trading hub.”

CRP programme manager, Fiona Coull, said: “It has been brilliant to work with so many partners, to get more freight into central London by river rather than by road.

“Incorporating return deliveries even further highlights how effective the river can be for just-in-time deliveries, as well as the opportunity it provides to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint and improve congestion and air quality.”

Cross River Partnership: The London Light Freight River Trial: Making the case for deliveries using the Thames