Billingsgate traders take part in sustainable deliveries pilot

Forty traders at Billingsgate are taking part in a trial, which focusses on optimising deliveries from the market to commercial customers in the capital to reduce emissions.

The City of London Corporation, DHL Supply Chain and Ford Pro are conducting the trial which aims to consolidate trips to avoid duplicating journeys, resulting in fewer vans needed.
 
Many traders rely on vans to make these deliveries, but for much of the day these vans are not in use. The City Corporation identified the opportunity to consolidate some of those trips, which avoids duplicating journeys and requires fewer vans.
 
Funded by the City Corporation, which owns and manages Billingsgate Market, the trial is being run using DHL Supply Chain and Ford Pro vehicles, software and servicing support.
 
The 18-week collaboration has revealed significant opportunities to benefit both business and the environment. There has been an estimated 37 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions compared with business as usual, with 949 fewer vehicle journeys on central London’s congested roads resulting in 23,961 fewer kilometres driven overall. This has also supported reduced costs and improved efficiencies for participating businesses.
 
This trial is part of the City Corporation’s aim to reduce the environmental impact of its wholesale markets through innovation, including the planned relocation of Billingsgate, Smithfield and New Spitalfields markets to Dagenham Dock. An electric vehicle charging point has been installed in the market car park.