Heatwave & thunderstorms in London for the TfL LoCITY group, focused on clean air and alternative fuel, Laura Carleton at TfL sorted the at-table meeting on the grey carpets of Palestra House for the afternoon June 20th, working tables, breakout workshops, great keynotes and standing-room only. Topics from kerb side access to rapid charge points. The event opened with large screen video images of the latest HGV tractor units that were fully electric and displayed at last week's Multimodal trade show at the NEC. LoCITY chair, Carl Lomas generated an energetic introduction focused on operator challenges to clean air in London today.
Cargo Bike – latest policy update by TfL John Oosthuizen. ‘How do we park cargo bikes without causing hazard? We need space for microhubs for cargo bikes. We need to look at what land is out there to enable use of cargo bikes.’ Discussion in the room focused on regulation. Including other road users in the discussion. Further discussion followed on replenishing cargo bikes by larger vehicles.
TfL Joseph Duggan – Kerbside Space ‘ Clearly access to kerbside space is really important to delivery at door. We are aware that there are negative impacts to patch work approach to different areas in London, We want to align strategy for kerbside space.’ The question is, how could our kerbside enable clean freight? We need to fit clean freight into the strategy, it's important. We need to see good interaction between kerbside and freight. We need to redefine the primary role of the street and how this may change over time. Facilitate the efficient movement of people, goods and services, considering these flows change over time. Considerations include type of street, its geographic area, likelihood of modal shift in that street, accessibility. ‘We want your input on a series of desktop exercises to consider the optimal landing point for adopting a hierarchy of principles for kerbside access.’
Clean Freight team update by TfL Carolina Buneder & Judith Hayton on Electrical charge points. Judith Hayton delivered the numbers. 13,000 charge points in London, 940 of which are rapid charge points ,121 thousand plug-in cars registered in London. ‘TfL focus is on delivering rapid charging.’ Carolina Buneder, ‘ We are looking at HGVs, we have started a scheme for engagement, we want to develop our strategy further with operators to provide the best-matched infrastructure. We are looking at charging infrastructure needs - where are your hot-spot needs in London? We are aware where vans are registered, but where do they need charging infrastructure?
SMMT were in the room and asked for review of brand exchange to charge HGVs. One operator's truck charging at another operator's depot or even charging at a bus depot.
TfL have produced a survey question set to update our understanding around the barriers and challenges faced by the industry when looking to decarbonise their fleets in more detail, and additionally incorporate heavy vehicle challenges into this engagement. By responding to their survey, you will help inform the role that they should play in this transition, looking at how to best support the freight and servicing industry in the pathway to London Net Zero by 2030. (contact TfL for link)
Matt Boulton TfL ULEZ update - Matt opened with ‘Imperial College report on four thousand deaths down to poor air.’ ULEZ London wide. Scrappage scheme, 110 million pounds, various levels of grants, aimed at owner-drivers and SMEs. ULEZ support offers include vehicle rentals, car club use, all for those who enter via the scrappage scheme. There are also public offers outside the scrappage scheme. Matt spoke auto charge to avoid penalties. Euro4 petrol and Euro6 diesel charge regimes discussed. There are grace periods for disabled registered vehicles.
Operators asked where they stood on the lack of clean vans in time for penalty, Matt explained there is a grace period if you can prove vehicles are on order.
Beware of online scams to charge ULEZ, be sure you are signed on to TfL before attempting payment.
Photo gallery LoCITY June 2023
LoCITY group, standing room only – a full house of alternative fuels for London clean air.
Lomas and the breakouts
Matt Boulton ULEZ London wide update
TFL Joseph Duggan – Kerbside Space
