Transport for London and the capital’s boroughs say they will adopt a “pragmatic approach” towards businesses which receive and make out of hours deliveries during the Olympic Games.
Road closures and restrictions caused by the Olympic Route Network means many businesses in central London and around games venues will be unable to receive deliveries during normal trading hours.
To help alleviate problems caused by restrictions, councils have worked with Transport for London to draw up a Code of Practice for out-of-hours deliveries.
Councils say where businesses take steps to minimise any noise disruption they will adopt a “light touch” approach to enforcement action.
However councils stress they reserve the right to take enforcement action against businesses which disturb local communities and attract complaints.
Launching the Code, Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy, said: “The challenges surrounding deliveries during the Games are considerable. However, the success of the quieter out-of-hours delivery trials we’ve commissioned in recent months clearly demonstrate that out-of-hours deliveries can, and I believe will, play a vital role in ensuring London and the rest of the UK keeps on moving this summer.”
Nick Lester, Corporate Director for Services at London Councils, added: “London’s councils are working hard to ensure that businesses can keep running as smoothly as possible during the Games and to minimise disruption to residents. While enforcement will be as light-touch and flexible as possible, boroughs will continue to enforce against any business stopping Londoners from getting a good night’s sleep.”
The Code and flexible approach has been welcomed by London’s business community.
Baroness Valentine, Chief Executive of London First, said: “The Olympics are a positive thing for London, but it’s vital that businesses in London are able to remain open during the Games. This code of practice will provide certainty around more flexible delivery arrangements – without which many businesses will be unable to operate normally. This would be bad for residents, bad for businesses and bad for employment both during and after the Games.”
