London 2012: TfL urges councils to support pubs' Olympic delivery needs

01-Apr-2012 - Last updated on 02-Apr-2012 at 10:21 GMT

Related tags Olympic games Summer olympic games London

Transport for London (TfL) is asking councils in London to be “supportive and sympathetic” to the needs of businesses including pubs, bars and restaurants that receive out-of-hours deliveries during the Olympics.

TfL has approved a statement that authorities in the capital are asked to adhere to that suggests they will take a supportive approach for the duration of the Games. The wording of the statement has not been revealed because councils are expected to adapt it to their own specific circumstances.
TfL said: “The statement makes it clear that councils will be supportive and sympathetic to the needs of businesses needing out-of-hours deliveries during the 2012 Games, when deliveries to businesses on the Olympic Route Network, in central London and around venues will be affected by Games-related restrictions on key parts of the capital’s road network.”
The statement was endorsed by a committee of London Councils, a body that represents a number of authorities in the capital.
Separately, a voluntary code of practice for deliveries between midnight and 6am has been put together. Its advice includes using quieter vehicles where possible, and ensuring no more than one vehicle arrives at one time.
The news follows fears among operators of wide-spread disruption to deliveries during the Olympics, with restrictions put in place on day-time deliveries and concerns that night-time drop-offs could be hampered by overly restrictive policies of individual councils.
Sara Parker, London director at the CBI, said: “This agreement on a more flexible approach to deliveries is a real breakthrough which will mean that London’s businesses can continue delivering a high-quality service to their customers during the Games.
“With so many Londoners and visitors out and about in the capital over the summer, it’s really important that shops, pubs and restaurants can remain fully stocked.”
London’s transport commissioner Peter Hendy said: “The challenges surrounding deliveries during the Games are considerable. However, the success of the quieter out-of-hours delivery trials we’ve commissioned in recent months clearly demonstrate that out-of-hours deliveries can, and I believe will, play a vital role in ensuring London and the rest of the UK keeps on moving this summer.
“I urge businesses that make or receive deliveries in London to use the code of practice for all out-of-hours deliveries. It is up to the freight and business community to prove to London’s borough councils that they are aware of, and care about, the impact they have on the communities they deliver to.”