TfL  are entering a consultation to raise the congestion zone charge in London. IoC - the solution is more complex than a blanket increase for four wheel vehicles.  

Sir Peter Hendy has asked The IoC to bring heads of industry to an urgent meeting with Sean Conroy | Senior stakeholder partnership manager at TfL. The agenda for the meeting is  'The impact of the Congestion Charge increase on urgent logistics'

IOC chair, Carl Lomas comments,

Higher fee, lower congestion but at what balance to cost for the end delivery client, can we measure time of delivery value against such cost. Should we be measuring in fiscal currency or carbon. Efficient access for white vans, motorcycle courier and pedal bike delivery should be the commercial solution to a successful City, the IOC wants a solution that benefits the City as a whole. The solution is more complex than a blanket charge increase.

IOC fellow, Justin Moore City Sprint comments

There is a clear and well established need to control unnecessary vehicle use in and around London. Using courier services is actually part of the congestion solution. Pushbikes and Motorbikes are both faster and often more fuel efficient and can carry multiple consignments to/from customers reducing the need for multiple journeys in the same direction.

Without doubt, any increase in congestion charging will impact revenues and profitability of our industry and will be yet another increase in operating costs.

The effects of this rise need to be voiced, TfL have asked for input at the highest level on what is a key future issue to the roads of London.

TNT zero emission targets to double for London.

IoC fellow, Paul Gaut reports, zero emission delivery vehicles in London is planned to double, TNT will introduce 15 specially built electric delivery vehicles to its fleet from Spring 2014, following an 18-month trial with green transport specialists Gnewt Cargo.

The move comes after Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, last year revealed plans to establish Central London as the world's first ever Ultra Low Emissions Zone, by 2020. He says all vehicles operating there during working hours will be either zero or low emission. TNT reckons electric vehicles will help the city achieve this status, saving around 316kg of carbon for every 1,000 litres of fuel currently being used by a standard vehicle.

UK Mail sales were up six per cent in the Christmas trading period.

Growth in the third quarter was again partly driven by an increase in internet shopping home deliveries, this resulted in a continuation of the mix change towards B2C seen in the first half. Parcels volumes in the quarter to 31st December rose 15 per cent on the previous year. There was also revenue growth in the mail but pallets saw a small decline. UK Mail said it was continuing to invest in developing its pallets network to return to the sales levels previously achieved.

Full page in Shd logistics magazine for CitySprint & the software route:

CitySprint  showcase the software route in January edition of SHD Logistics magazine, cost saving, fewer vehicles, tighter custers, (the Times Newspaper publisher, News UK has optimised home delivery routes by 16%, using advanced routing and scheduling software run by City Sprint.)

Consultation on the next step in the London Congestion charge.

Is another one pound fifty a day enough deterrent to stop unnecessary journeys by vehicles in central London?

Transport for London (TfL) proposal to increase the congestion charge has begun with a public consultation. TfL believes the charge will continue to act as a deterrent to stop unnecessary journeys into Central London.

Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer for Surface Transport, said,

We are keen to hear what Londoners and motorists have to say about the proposed changes to the Congestion Charging scheme. The proposed changes will ensure the Congestion Charge remains an effective deterrent to making unnecessary journeys in Central London.

We do listen to the views of our customers and have made significant changes to the scheme in recent year, including the removal of the Western Extension and the introduction of the hugely popular Congestion Charging (CC) Auto Pay scheme.

What do Fellows of the IoC think? TfL is asking the IOC and all those who will be affected by the price rise to give their feedback on the proposed increases and changes. Daily charge increase is planned at £1.50 from £9 to £10.50 per day,  Pay the next day and it goes up to £14.00

Congestion Charge began in three years post millennia and has raised more than one billion pounds. Much of the money has been spent on the bus network, road safety, roads and sustainable transport. The increases to the Congestion Charge will see as much as  an additional £80 million of revenue in the next four years, the majority of the money being reinvested into London's wider transport network.

The 10-week public consultation closes on 14 March. To take part, visit www.tfl.gov.uk/ccyourviews .