| In a landmark move set to transform the streets of London, the Thames Estuary Growth Board, Thames Freeport, and the Port of London Authority have signed a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This agreement will reduce congestion and pollution by shifting a significant portion of freight transport from roads to the River Thames. Designed for scalability and commercial viability, this initiative marks a significant leap towards sustainable urban logistics, benefiting both London and the Thames Estuary. Following growing concerns about pollution and congestion in London, this partnership addresses the urgent need to reduce the number of HGVs on the city’s roads. Recent studies have highlighted the impact of traffic-related emissions on air quality and public health. By shifting a significant portion of freight transport to the River Thames and using sustainable vehicles for the last-mile delivery, this collaboration will alleviate road congestion, decrease pollution, and support the capital’s commitment to achieving Net Zero emissions. Kate Willard OBE, Thames Estuary Envoy, and chair of the Thames Estuary Growth Board, said: “This agreement is a major milestone in our journey to create a greener, more efficient logistics network. It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to fair, sustainable growth and ambitious innovation.” This collaboration aims to revolutionise river light freight on the Thames, ensuring it is commercially viable, designed to be easily scaled up, and anchored at the Thames Freeport. It supports regional Net Zero objectives and leverages existing infrastructure to provide long-term benefits for communities across the Thames Estuary and far into London. This MOU is part of a framework of activity led by the Growth Board under the RULE (Riverside Urban Logistics Environment) project. The RULE project is dedicated to developing a comprehensive river light freight solution, incorporating insights and expertise from a diverse array of partners, including boat operators, pier owners, policymakers, logistics service providers, last-mile delivery companies, and potential investors. The RULE project will be a critical vehicle for establishing a new standard for sustainable river freight transport. The group’s ambition is to see an initial 20million parcels moved annually on the river, generating £54 million in Gross Value Added (GVA), creating over 800 new jobs, and resulting in significant environmental benefits, including saving 2,284 tonnes of CO2 and 3.6 tonnes of NOx – with capacity to significantly scale this up further. |
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Wednesday, December 18, 2024
