2 Virtual Loading Bays Launch In London Borough Of Richmond

Cross River Partnership (CRP), a non-profit and impartial partnership organisation, are excited to announce that 2 Virtual Loading Bays are now live in the London Borough of Richmond. The 2 Virtual Loading Bays are located in Sheen Lane, Mortlake and The Quadrant, Richmond and will be available to book, free of charge, for the trial period to the end of 2024.   

Virtual Loading Bays are dedicated spaces that can be pre-booked to deliver goods by participating operators with the Grid Kerb Delivery booking application. 

The Virtual Loading Bays form part of CRP’s Defra-funded Kerbside Management Trial and are being delivered in partnership between London Borough of Richmond, Grid Smarter Cities and Cross River Partnership. The trial uses Grid’s Virtual Loading Bay technology to dynamically manage the kerbside and aims to improve congestion and air quality in the local area.  

Find out more about the trial and how to book the Virtual Loading Bays here: https://gridsmartercities.com/smarter-greener-logistics-crp/ 

The Kerbside Management Trial is part of Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) a Defra-funded project led by Westminster City Council in collaboration with 25 project partners. The project aims to minimise the impact of freight on noise, air quality, traffic and pavement space in London by making improvements across 14 London boroughs and two London Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). 

Laura Jacklin, Commercial Development Manager from Grid Smarter Cities said:   

“Delivering to different spaces comes with challenges especially in strategic corridors. These two bays are in different locations but will face similar challenges for delivery drivers, we are excited to see how managing and booking space will help deliveries at the kerbside.”  

Carl Gellard, Senior Engineer Traffic & Parking Policy Richmond and Wandsworth Council:

“The Virtual Loading Bay (VLB) initiative will enable the council to monitor loading/unloading activity at two key sites in the borough which experience increased volumes of traffic and poor air quality. We look forward to realising the benefits of managing kerbside space through the platform.”

Katherine Fairfax, Project Manager from Cross River Partnership said: 

“Cross River Partnership are excited to launch a further 2 Virtual Loading Bays in the London Borough of Richmond as part of our Defra-funded Kerbside Management Trial. The London Borough of Richmond join the City of London and London Borough of Lambeth in testing Grid Smarter Cities innovative kerbside solution to understand the potential freight management and air quality benefits.”