New Starter: Alejandra Bolanos Martinez

6th September 2023 / Posted by CRP Team

Starting my journey with CRP as a paid Intern during last week of July was incredibly exciting! During this time, I had the opportunity to meet the team members both as a group and one-on-one. They are all truly exceptional individuals with rich and significant backgrounds in sustainability, and they are actively engaged in various exciting project efforts.

Upon my initial day, I had the honour of participating in an Away Day. During this event, we engaged in an afternoon focused on planning and strategy, interspersed with a lunch session. I was also fortunate to mark the achievement of my graduation by celebrating with my family during that same week, before re-joining the team a week later.

Subsequently, my engagement has revolved around the Waterloo Freight Hub initiative. Furthermore, I am starting to delve into freight hub modelling efforts including various scenarios. I will be working on the creation of 3D models, utilizing tools like Revit, AutoCAD, and SketchUp and Adobe systems giving it a final finish.

My background is within a technical knowledge of current UK building and CDM regulations, preparation of technical drawings, working knowledge and experience of RIBA work stages. I have recently become an alumni at the University of West London, following the completion of my Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architectural Design Technology in July 2023.

The significant advantage of becoming a part of CRP is to actively participate in multiple workstreams designed to build a better future for London.

Get in touch with Alejandra Bolanos Martinez: alejandrabolanosuk@gmail.com

Moving On!

6th September 2023 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

CRP’s Communications Project Manager Rachael Aldridge is moving on to pastures anew, after four years with CRP.  We are very sad that she is leaving us, but we wish her all the very best for an exciting future!

Rachael’s achievements at CRP are too numerous to mention, but some of her highlights have included: launching CRP into social media, getting CRP published in new trade press publications, chairing monthly CRP Conversations webinars, and much much more.

Rachael’s last day with CRP will be 12th September, with her leaving drinks in central London on 7th September – do email rachaelaldridge@crossriverpartnership.org if you would like to join!

Rachael will be joining Central District Alliance BID as their Communications and Marketing Manager, so you’ll be able to reach her there! Good luck Rachael!

Thames Freight Infrastructure Report Launch

6th September 2023 / Posted by CRP Team

On 16th August, we launched the ‘Thames Freight Infrastructure: Design Guidelines for Piers’ report with Beckett Rankine, Port of London Authority (PLA) and Transport for London (TfL).  

This report provides guidance on the infrastructure required for light freight services on the tidal River Thames. Aimed at pier owners and e-cargo bike operators, this report is designed to ensure safe and efficient transfer of light freight between river and shore.  

 Whilst the document had been written based on the current market, the principles contained within can be carried forward into the future. E-cargo bikes have been tested at a number of piers across London and the findings recorded to inform this guidance.  

Click here to read ‘Thames Freight Infrastructure: Design Guidelines for Piers’.

Please read the full PLA press release here.

Happy Summer Season!

18th July 2023 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

The CRP Team would like to wish all of the CRP Partners a very happy Summer Season!

We have all achieved so much together over recent months – another River Freight Trial, a Walking Freight Trial, a Micro Hub, and Rail Freight reports. All of these things will make important contributions to cleaning up London’s air and reducing congestion on our streets.

Enjoy the Summer Season! We look forward to continuing to work with you into the Autumn and beyond. Thank you for everybody’s ongoing commitment and support.

Susannah Wilks, Director of CRP – susannahwilks@crossriverpartnership.org

Charlie and Sobastian: First Month at CRP

18th July 2023 / Posted by CRP Team

I joined CRP at the end of June and have really enjoyed my first month! I’ve spent my time so far getting to know other members of the team, and familiarising myself with past and current projects. CRP is a great working environment – everyone has been very welcoming and supportive. I’ve also been enjoying the fantastic views of London from the office!

My first week included the CRP Summer Event at Somerset House, which was a great opportunity to meet collaborators and partners. Since then I’ve been working on Monitoring and Data Analysis, and helping wrap up some of pieces of work for CALL. I’m looking forward to working on delivery of the cargo bike and walking freight workstream as part of SGL, as well as supporting on data monitoring and evaluation and comms across all workstreams.

Previously I was working at the University of Westminster on a research project looking at working conditions and scaling up in London’s cargo bike sector. I also studied for an MSc at UCL in Transport and City Planning, and wrote a dissertation looking at the governance, monitoring, and evaluation of London’s e-scooter trial. I’m excited to be working on some similar topic areas at CRP, but with a greater focus on on-the-ground delivery.

CRP Project Officer Charlie Couve – charliecouve@crossriverpartnership.org


Joining CRP in the last week of June was very exciting to say the least! I was able to meet the team, collectively and individually, who are all amazing and have great enriching experiences within sustainability and are currently working across several exiting project streams.

My first day entailed witnessing the launch of the first urban e-walker, as part of the Defra-funded CALL programme in Fitzrovia and networking with stakeholders. Since then, I have also been working on Monitoring and Data Analysis, and supporting other pieces of work for our CALL programme. Additionally, I will be working on Click and Collect/Parcel Locker installations and Shared EV Schemes and Fleet Electrification and data monitoring as part of SGL.

My background is within education, sport, planning, retail, and behaviour change. Previously working in numerous schools, private organisations, and local authorities. I have an undergrad in Sport and Community Development and have recently become an alumni at the University of Westminster, following the completion of my MSc in Psychology in February 2023. The great benefit of joining CRP is being able to offer an array of experience across several fields and working across several workstreams to support a better London for tomorrow.

CRP Project Officer Sobastian Frazer – sobastianfrazer@crossriverpartnership.org

EC BID Social Media Strategy – #SummerinEC

18th July 2023 / Posted by CRP Team

We’re really pleased to be working with our client EC BID, City of London, on a three-month social media campaign throughout the summer. #SummerinEC celebrates all that the Eastern City has to offer! Themes for each summer month are:

  • June: Green Spaces
  • July: Iconic Buildings and Places
  • August: Hospitality Offering

Check out EC BID’s social media channels for more information.

For further information about CRP’s Communications Offering, please contact CRP Communications Project Manager Rachael Aldridge – rachaelaldridge@crossriverpartnership.org

Freight at Waterloo

18th July 2023 / Posted by Susannah Wilks

Work continues apace to consider the opportunity for moving more freight into Waterloo Station, London Borough of Lambeth, by rail, as well as moving freight onwards across London via zero emissions modes e.g. e-cargo bikes.

Studies are underway by organisations Network Rail, Steer and Intermodality, to:

  • Assess freight rail line timetable capacity
  • Quantify the positive economic, community and environmental impacts of a rail-fed freight hub at Waterloo
  • Identify exemplar case studies of best practice for any future hub to aim towards

The studies are being funded by CRP’s Defra Air Quality grant, as well as by the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT).

Study results will be available before Autumn. For further information please contact CRP Sustainable Transport Manager Ross Phillips – rossphillips@crossriverpartnership.org or CRP’s Director Susannah Wilks – susannahwilks@crossriverpartnership.org

Clean Air Logistics for London: Thank You

18th July 2023 / Posted by Fiona Coull

It’s the final month of CRP’s Clean Air Logistics for London (CALL) Programme and CRP has been as busy as ever! Here’s a quick overview of what we’ve been up to this month:

  • We’ve been working on an event to celebrate the launch of The London Light Freight Walking Trial. As part of this, there is an opportunity for businesses in the local area to see the e-walker in action and hear about how to get involved in the trial.
  • This month the third drop was successfully completed as part of CRP’s ‘River Freight Pilot – Part 2‘. A Q&A session was recorded to help businesses understand how they can get involved.
  • The third month of data has been provided for the Westminster City Council Micro Logistics Hub trial. We will be sharing these in a final report once the trial is complete.
  • The retrofit of ‘The Albert’ (to make the vessel fully electric) is also nearing completion and the vessel has been renamed to Alb-E.
  • We have also sent out a request for proposal, for a courier to occupy an urban logistics hub in London Borough of Wandsworth at the Southside Shopping Centre. This will be delivered in a similar way to the hub with Westminster City Council and learnings will be shared as part of CRP’s Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL) programme.
  • Several reports and models have also been commissioned in relation to the Waterloo Freight Hub. These are designed to show the impact of a freight hub at Waterloo station and highlight the economic, environmental and social benefits that this would bring to the local area and London more widely.

CRP would like to thank all of the partners involved in our Clean Air Logistics for London (CALL) programme for working with us to make it such a success.

For more information please contact CRP Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull – fionacoull@crossriverpartnership.org

Westminster Games Success!

17th July 2023 / Posted by CRP Team

This month, the CRP team joined forces with Westminster City Council’s environment teams to form Green Giants – an unstoppable force of over 20 team members – to take part in this year’s annual Westminster Games!

We played netball, rounders and took part in a scavenger hunt around the city. We came third place and enjoyed every second – thank you to our WCC colleagues for a fabulous two weeks of games!

Smarter Greener Logistics Is Underway

17th July 2023 / Posted by CRP Team

CRP were delighted to celebrate the achievements of our Clean Air Logistics for London (CALL) programme at Somerset House at the end of June. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the range of innovative projects that have been delivered in collaboration with our project partners. We would like to thank all those who attended and the event sponsors Defra, Port of London Authority  and  The Northbank BID! Please see images from the event here.

The June event also saw the launch of Smarter Greener Logistics (SGL), CRP’s new Defra-funded project led by Westminster City Council in collaboration with 26 project partners. SGL aims to minimise the impact of freight on noise, air quality, traffic and pavement space by making improvements across 15 London boroughs and four London Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

SGL will implement a range of Logistics Elements in order to clean up London’s air, including:

  1. Urban Logistics Hubs
  2. Kerbside Management
  3. Click and Collect/Parcel Lockers
  4. Shared Electric Vehicle schemes & fleet electrification
  5. Cargo Bike & Walking Freight deliveries
  6. Logistics Sector Support
  7. Monitoring to capture benefits
  8. Project Wide Interventions

Watch this space for further SGL updates!

For more information, please contact CRP Senior Programme Manager Fiona Coull – fionacoull@crossriverpartnership.org