FTA celebrates success at the ‘Noise Oscars’

Friday 04 November 2016

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) is celebrating after a double success at the Noise Abatement Society’s John Connell Awards this week – known as the ‘Noise Oscars’.

FTA sponsored the Quiet Logistics Technology Award to recognise advances in low noise technology to facilitate quieter delivery and services. The award was won by Pret A Manger which has worked with its logistics partner - FTA member Bidvest - to invest in 50 vehicles fitted with the quietest available equipment to reduce the impact of fresh food deliveries to its London stores.

The Quiet Cities Collaboration Award was won by Transport for London’s Retiming Deliveries Consortium, chaired by FTA’s Head of Policy for London and the South East Natalie Chapman. The group, made up of representatives from London boroughs, trade associations, retailers and others, has retimed 80,000 deliveries across 237 premises to reduce congestion and make operations more efficient. Benefits include a reduction in the risk of collisions, improved air quality and reduced business running costs.

Natalie Chapman, who has chaired the Consortium since its inception three years ago, said:

“I’m delighted that the hard work and success of the Retiming Deliveries Consortium has been recognised. Roads in our towns and cities are becoming increasingly congested, so the freight industry has to be innovative in the way it delivers. Retiming deliveries out of the peak reduces fuel consumption and emissions - and delivering when there are fewer vulnerable road users on the road can also lead to safety improvements too.”

The FTA-sponsored Quiet Logistics Technology Award was presented by FTA Director of Policy Karen Dee, who said: “FTA is proud to once again sponsor the Enterprise in Quiet Logistics Award. We have been working collaboratively with the Noise Abatement Society for a number of years. Carrying out deliveries and servicing activity when the road network is quieter makes perfect sense. But equally we recognise that local residents need a good night’s sleep, so the industry has invested in quieter vehicles, technology and driver training, enabling deliveries to be made at night or at times where the background noise level is low without causing disturbance”.

The awards – now in their 15th year - are named after Noise Abatement Society founder John O’Connell and were OBE who lobbied the Noise Abatement Act through parliament in 1960. The acknowledge the importance of the quality of sound in people’s lives and champion advances in reducing the negative impact of unnecessary noise for public benefit. This year’s event was held at the Palace of Westminster and hosted by Bromley and Chislehurst MP Bob Neill.
 
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