London logistics takes a greener turn with new zero emission freight hub

The six-month trial, based in currently underutilised space beneath the London station, will receive parcels by van before distributing to end customers using electrically-assisted cargo bikes. In a unique collaboration between Network Rail, the Department for Transport, London and Continental Railways, the London Borough of Lambeth and delivery firm Cargo Mates, the programme will use ten cargo bikes to deliver parcels to residents and businesses while reducing transport emissions and improving air quality across London. With freight currently accounting for 25% of all road emissions in London, the project aims to model a scalable solution for low-carbon urban logistics, which will be particularly useful as parcel volumes are expected to double annually by 2030 to more than one billion transactions a year.

Delivery Mates will manage the day-to-day operation of the pilot, with COO Kevin Savage calling the initiative “an exciting opportunity to engage further with the rail sector while further strengthening Delivery Mates’ capability to deliver sustainable logistics to customers, residents and local retailers.” Meanwhile, Mike Putnam, acting chair of Network Rail, was thrilled by the opportunity the scheme presents: “Network Rail is excited to be part of an innovative approach to utilising facilities at Waterloo Station and hopes that it can demonstrate the potential to trial zero-tailpipe emission infrastructure and future rail freight opportunities at the Waterloo Freight Hub. These trials are crucial to supporting Network Rail in its commitment to achieve net zero by 2050. This six-month trial will ensure that Network Rail is taking an evidence-based approach to delivering environmental sustainability projects and ensuring that we share best practice from this innovative project across London.”

Ross Phillips, Sustainable Transport Manager at Cross River Partnership, said: “Cross River Partnership is extremely pleased to be working with so many partners to launch the Waterloo Freight Hub 6-month Trial. This has been a truly collaborative process between many public and private stakeholders, and we hope it can help to demonstrate the long-term potential for transforming the way that freight comes into, and is delivered across, London. We can look forward to less congested streets, smaller/quieter and non-polluting vehicles, as well as deliveries via rail at a fraction of the cost of road transport.”

Learnings from the trial will inform plans for a longer-term and larger-scale freight hub, potentially using rail and river as part of a wider multimodal solution to decarbonise London’s freight network.