Decision details

Purpose of Report: The report will update the Executive Member on the progress of the DEFRA funded air quality project. The project consists of a feasibility study on delivery systems in the City focusing on last mile delivery and a pilot project to test practicalities of operating a hub system for deliveries utilising walking and cycling as the method of delivery for the “last mile” and reducing the number of delivery vans in and around the City centre.

The Executive Member will be asked to note the progress of the project and the outcomes of the feasibility;
Approve the approach for the last mile hub pilot (as per the DEFRA funding agreement).

Resolved:

                      i.         Noted the DEFRA air quality project feasibility study;

                     ii.         Approved a 9 month pilot as per the feasibility report

(scenarios 1a) and 1b) focusing on small parcel delivery using pedestrian portering and zero emission deliveries (cargo and e-cargo bikes). Consolidating the deliveries at a hub in a location that has good access for delivery vehicles and access to the inner ring road in order to test the last mile possibilities;

                    iii.        Approved the principle of a 12 month lease for the trial to operate from, allowing 3 months for set up and decant and 9 months for the operation of trial;

                   iv.        Delegated to the Director of Environment, Transport and Planning in consultation with the S.151 Officer and Director of Governance authority to :

a. Finalise the lease arrangements for the trial (at

the moment proposed to be 107-109 Walmgate)

as the location for the hub, work through any

legal and planning requirements and establish

management arrangements of the hub;

b. finalise arrangements with operators to take part in the trial;

c. to enter into agreement with an academic

institution and representatives from the Freight

Forum to have an oversight of the pilot, set the

performance measures and test the operators

against these;

Reason:     To ensure the best outcomes are achieved to improve air quality and to feed in to inform strategy and approach locally and regionally to consolidation of freight.