CRP Attends Central London Freight Quality Partnership

29th January 2024 / Posted by Katherine Fairfax

CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax recently attended the Central London Freight Quality Partnership (CLFQP) – Current Freight Issues Group meeting. The CLFQP is coordinated by John Crosk, Chairman of the Brewery Logistics Group, and made up of representatives from the freight industry, local authorities, and other relevant organisations.  

At the meeting CRP provided an update on the Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) Kerbside Management Trial which is being delivered in collaboration with Grid Smarter Cities. The trial aims to provide SGL local authority partners with the opportunity to trial kerbside management technology to alleviate congestion and improve air quality. 

Read our workstream summary sheet for more information. 

For any queries on the SGL Kerbside Management Trial contact CRP Project Manager Katherine Fairfax katherinefairfax@crossriverpartnership.org  

Micro Logistics Hub Updates

29th January 2024 / Posted by Guillaume Strebelle

CRP have exciting insights to share regarding our two micro logistics hub trials in Pimlico and Wandsworth:  

  • Since the Pimlico micro logistics hub trial began nine months ago the trial recently ended on 31st December 2023 4,186 kg of CO2 emissions have been saved. Let’s translate this into a more tangible example, thanks to the CRP Clean Air Tool. This is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from 85 football pitch-sized forest fires. If you’re not convinced yet, here’s another notable achievement: 15,141 g of NOx emissions have been reduced so far. This is equivalent to the NOx emissions of what 459 people emit in one day! 
  • The micro logistics hub in Wandsworth is four months old and is demonstrating impressive results. Last month, 6,000 flower deliveries were sorted at the hub, and 257 miles were travelled by cargo bikes! We will be sharing insights for January soon. 

CRP is currently working with Islington Council and Decarbon Logistics Solutions to identify suitable locations for a future micro logistics hub trial. Consequently, another micro logistics hub trial should be implemented in the coming months, so stay tuned to CRP’s regular updates on our website, social media channels, or newsletter. 

Keen to learn more about micro logistics hubs? Find out here.  

You can also subscribe to our newsletter to keep abreast of the latest news regarding the micro logistics hub trials. 

Please contact CRP Project Manager Isidora Rivera Vollmer with any queries isidorariveravollmer@crossriverpartnership.org 

Celebrating 30 Years of CRP

29th January 2024 / Posted by Katie Smith

2024 marks a major milestone for us here at Cross River Partnership (CRP) as we celebrate 30 years of delivering London’s future together!  

To celebrate CRP’s history, growth and successes, we have launched a 30th anniversary edition of our logo to share throughout 2024.   

Originally formed to deliver cross-river infrastructure projects such as the Millenium Bridge and the Golden Jubilee Footbridges, CRP has since diversified to deliver a wide range of cross-borough, multi-partner regeneration projects. 

We are proud to be continuing to work collaboratively with a diverse network of talented people to deliver innovative solutions that make London fairer, greener and safer! 

CRP currently work with 32 partner organisations across London including business improvement districts, local authorities, and strategic agencies.  

A huge thank you to all of our partners and funders that have supported us throughout our journey! 

CRP Welcomes Two New Interns

29th January 2024 / Posted by Katie Smith

CRP are delighted to welcome two new Zero Emissions Interns to the team who will be supporting across the Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) programme.  

After studying Geography at Queen Mary University of London, Ilyas is currently completing his Masters in Risk Analysis, Disasters and Resilience at Kings College London 

Josephine is currently completing her Masters in Environment Science for Sustainability at Kings College London

On working at CRP, Ilyas said: “I am thrilled to have joined CRP, everyone has been extremely welcoming and easy going. Throughout university I have learnt about sustainability and air quality in theory, and I am now looking forward to finally put what I have learnt into practice on the varied workstreams with the team.” 

On working at CRP, Josephine said: “I am happy to be working with such an encouraging and collaborative team. I look forward to contributing to various sustainability projects at CRP, as my interests align with many of the ongoing and past projects at CRP. I have had a great start and feel very supported by the team at CRP. I am excited to continue working with CRP through collaboration with stakeholders, making a true impact towards a more sustainable future.” 

CRP’s Collaborative Bid to the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund

29th January 2024 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

CRP has submitted a collaborative application – Healthy Streets Everyday II – to the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund Round 4 (MAQF4).  If successful, the application will build on the success of MAQF3-funded programme Healthy Streets Everyday, led by Cross River Partnership (CRP). 

CRP’s Healthy Streets Everyday II application was supported by 14 partner organisations, including 6 Local Authorities, 6 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and 2 strategic agencies.  The bid was led by Westminster City Council, CRP’s accountable body. 

CRP bid for £999,992 MAQF, bringing £1,590,659 in match funding to the application. 

Healthy Streets Everyday II (HSEII) will address the issue of over-dependence on private vehicles, and the associated issues of poor Air Quality, Environment, Safety, Health, and Wellbeing.  HSEII will realise a range of associated opportunities, including increased: 

  • Active travel 
  • Walking routes 
  • Permanent school streets 
  • Low emission transport infrastructure 
  • Green space / planting / rain gardens 

Evidence shows that transport emissions account for 25% of London’s overall emissions and is one of the largest contributors to London’s poor Air Quality. All of the Healthy Streets Everyday II interventions have been designed to tackle this, delivering multiple benefits simultaneously. 

Healthy Streets Everyday II will address poor Air Quality in partnership by: 

S Supporting safer spaces  

T Transforming travel behaviour  

R Reducing emissions and exposure  

E Engaging with communities  

E Embracing technological advances  

T Targeting green infrastructure  

S Sustaining best monitoring practice  

Results will be announced in March 2024! 

For further information, please contact CRP Director Susannah Wilks susannahwilks@crossriverpartnership.org 

CRP Courier Fair

29th January 2024 / Posted by Sarah Meertens

We are just over one week away from our Courier Fair! On Wednesday 7th February 4:30-6pm, 10 – 15 industry leading zero emission couriers – including local and national operators – will exhibit at our in-person fair to meet and build relationships with local authorities, BIDs, strategic agencies and landowners. The Courier Fair is developed as part of our Defra-funded Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) programme. 

Due to a demand for faster, convenient and more efficient deliveries and a booming ecommerce industry, the Courier, Express and Parcel (CEP) market is growing significantly. Our Courier Fair provides an exciting opportunity for logistics operators and members of the public sector to build closer relationships, share learnings and identify ways to collaborate.  

The event will kick off with a short speech from City of London’s Councillor Mary Durcan, before the 1-1 sit-down discussions between operators and local authorities, BIDs, landowners and strategic agencies begin. 

We have sign-ups from a wide array of visitors and the fair is promising to be a very fruitful event. We are excited for the new connections, opportunities and learnings the fair will bring as we work towards a thriving zero emission courier sector! 

Please reach out to CRP Project Officer Sarah Meertens sarahmeertens@crossriverpartnership.org for any questions regarding the fair. 

SGL Update – Kicking off 2024!

29th January 2024 / Posted by Fiona Coull

It’s the start of a new year and there’s already been lots happening with CRP’s Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) programme: 

  • CRP has been implementing a noise monitoring strategy for the Waterloo Station Freight Hub Project. This involves using a portable Class 1 Sound Level Meter to measure the noise levels around the station to provide a suitable comparison to potential freight activity that would happen during the week. 
  • We’ve also been developing a brief for a detailed report on freight flows in London. This will help to confirm areas across London that would be good for urban logistics initiatives, such as urban logistics hubs, electric vehicle charging and kerbside management strategies. 
  • Several site visits have taken place as part of the programme-wide Virtual Loading Bay (VLB) trial in collaboration with various SGL partners and GRID Smarter Cities 
  • Business engagement has taken place in Islington along Holloway Road to identify potential host businesses for a new Our Bike scheme in the area. 
  • Data from the first 6 months of The London Light Freight Walking Trial has been analysed. This shows that that 8,819 parcels have been delivered by the UPS E-walker between July and December 2023, and that areas along the Tottenham Court Road and A40 have received the most packages by walking freight. 

As well as all of this, the CRP team have been busy organising the CRP Courier Fair – an in-person event for local authorities, BIDs, strategic agencies and landowners to meet and build relationships with low emission couriers. Read our article for more details here. 

For more information about the project, please email CRP Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull fionacoull@crossriverpartnership.org

Rail Freight to Grow by at Least 75%

29th January 2024 / Posted by Isidora Rivera Vollmer

In a landmark announcement, the government has set forth an ambitious target to propel rail freight growth by a staggering 75% or more. These plans aim to improve the UK’s freight transportation system, making it more efficient and sustainable. This commitment is a crucial step in cutting down carbon emissions and mitigating the environmental impact of logistics operations.  

The government’s vision aligns seamlessly with ongoing efforts exemplified by Cross River Partnership’s Waterloo Freight Hub project. With a strategic focus on transforming urban logistics, the Waterloo Freight Hub project is set to become a significant contributor in the realisation of the government’s ambitious goals.

The hub aims to revolutionise freight transport into Greater London by bringing more freight into central London via rail rather than via road. Existing undercroft space at Waterloo Station would be used to receive, sort and re-issue the rail freight outwards across much of London, servicing some 3.5 million people and 200,000 businesses. These onward journeys would all be undertaken by clean transport modes, including electric cargo bikes. 

By strategically leveraging rail freight solutions, the Waterloo Freight Hub project echoes the government’s commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable freight network. The project’s objectives highlight its dedication to providing a sustainable solution to the growing demand for freight services in London. 

UK Government sets out pathway for zero emission vehicle transition by 2035

29th January 2024 / Posted by Sobastian Frazer

The UK government has set a pathway towards all new cars and vans being zero emissions by 2035. This pioneering mandate has now become law since the 3rd of January 2024. The mandate is expected to help both the car and manufacturing industries to safeguard jobs and staff certainty.      

The zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to produce each year up to 2030. 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain will now be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035. 

Akira Kirton, bp pulse UK Vice President, said, “this mandate instils confidence in our strategy, reaffirming our plans to invest £1 billion over 10 years to continue to develop hundreds of EV charging hubs across the country by 2030 to bolster the UK’s charging infrastructure.” 

Back in September 2023, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, had pushed back the ban on new diesel and petrol cars to 2035, due to concerns around high costs, availability of new electric cars, lack of charging infrastructure and practicality for small businesses. However, by making the mandate law, the government hopes this demonstrates a firm commitment towards their pathway for zero emission vehicle transition by 2035. Also, placing the UK in line with other major global economies such as Canada, France, Germany and Sweden. 

The EV charging network continues to grow within the UK, according to Zapmap, the UK has surpassed 50,000 charge points, reaffirming confidence in the UK’s target of providing 300,000 charge points by 2030. The ZEV mandate will help provide the stability the industry requires, build confidence to invest in more infrastructure, and providing long-term certainty to continue growth.  

Find out more: Pathway for zero emission vehicle transition by 2035 becomes law – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reflecting on 2023!

12th December 2023 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

CRP and its partners have a huge amount to be really proud of that we achieved together during 2023! 

We have:  

to name but a few! 

We would like to thank all of our partners and funders for your incredible support throughout 2023, and we look forward to Delivering London’s Future Together throughout 2024 and beyond! 

Have a wonderful Festive Season! 

CRP Director Susannah Wilks