Policy information sourced from The London Plan 2021
T7 Deliveries, servicing and construction
Development plans and development proposals should facilitate sustainable freight movement by rail, waterways and road.
Development Plans, Opportunity Area Planning Frameworks, Area Action Plans and other area-based plans should include freight strategies. These should seek to:
- reduce freight trips to, from and within these areas
- coordinate the provision of infrastructure and facilities to manage freight at an area-wide level
- reduce road danger, noise and emissions from freight, such as through the use of safer vehicles, sustainable last-mile schemes and the provision of rapid electric vehicle charging points for freight vehicles.
Such strategies should be developed through policy or through the formulation of a masterplan for a planning application.
To support carbon-free travel from 2050, the provision of hydrogen refuelling stations and rapid electric vehicle charging points at logistics and industrial locations is supported.
Development Plans should safeguard railheads unless it can be demonstrated that a railhead is no longer viable or capable of being made viable for rail-based freight-handling. The factors to consider in assessing the viability of a railhead include:
- planning history, environmental impact and its relationship to surrounding land use context – recognising that the Agent of Change principle will apply
- location, proximity to the strategic road network and existing/potential markets
- the existing and potential contribution the railhead can make towards catering for freight movements by non-road modes
- the location and availability of capacity at alternative railheads, in light of current and projected capacity and market demands.
Consolidation and distribution sites at all scales should be designed to enable 24-hour operation to encourage and support out-of-peak deliveries.
Development proposals for new consolidation and distribution facilities should be supported provided that they do not cause unacceptable impacts on London’s strategic road networks and:
- reduce road danger, noise and emissions from freight trips
- enable sustainable last-mile movements, including by cycle and electric vehicle
- deliver mode shift from road to water or rail where possible (without adversely impacting existing or planned passenger services).
Development proposals should facilitate safe, clean, and efficient deliveries and servicing. Provision of adequate space for servicing, storage and deliveries should be made off-street, with on-street loading bays only used where this is not possible. Construction Logistics Plans and Delivery and Servicing Plans will be required and should be developed in accordance with Transport for London guidance and in a way which reflects the scale and complexities of developments.
Developments should be designed and managed so that deliveries can be received outside of peak hours and in the evening or night time. Appropriate facilities are required to minimise additional freight trips arising from missed deliveries and thus facilitate efficient online retailing.
At large developments, facilities to enable micro-consolidation should be provided, with management arrangements set out in Delivery and Servicing Plans.
Development proposals must consider the use of rail/water for the transportation of material and adopt construction site design standards that enable the use of safer, lower trucks with increased levels of direct vision on waste and landfill sites, tip sites, transfer stations and construction sites.
During the construction phase of development, inclusive and safe access for people walking or cycling should be prioritised and maintained at all times.
For more information please see The London Plan 2021
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