Transport analytics company Inrix placed London first, followed by Paris and then Dublin. In the UK Bristol and Leeds followed as the next most congested at 65 and 60 hours respectively. The A40 Westway was named the most congested road in the UK.
In a bid to tackle the situation. Logistics UK has been campaigning for the relaxation of the London Lorry Control Scheme which would mean that large vehicle operators could remove their vehicles from peak times on the road network and utilise the network when it’s less congested.
The London Lorry Control Scheme (LLCS) was set up in 1986 to reduce the disturbance caused to residents by heavy lorries at night and weekends. The scheme operates from 9pm to 7am during the week and from 1pm on Saturdays and all day on Sundays.
During the hours of operation, HGVs over 18 tonnes are required to maximise use of the exempt route network and minimise use of the restricted network. The requirements of the LLCS can lead to long diversions, resulting in increased emissions and increased cost to industry.
What is Logistics UK campaigning for?
Logistics UK is campaigning for a relaxation of the LLCS as night deliveries help alleviate congestion during the day, and technological advances over the last 18 years have led to a huge decrease in lorry noise levels and emissions. There will be an industry meeting to discuss possible future actions on Thursday 6 February in Coventry and interested readers can register to attend here.
Some of these changes will happen quite quickly, but others are likely to take a couple of years.
Find out more here.
