- e.ensuring that new development makes appropriate provision for deliveries, including cargo bike deliveries and servicing vehicles in terms of road layout, road safety, traffic congestion and environmental impacts.
- Proposals that include freight or logistics operations, or which are likely to generate increased freight/logistics traffic, will be required to:
- a.provide sustainable logistics plans and utilise sustainable modes of transport;
- b.demonstrate that the site is close to the Strategic Road Network and/or rail freight opportunities, in the case of proposals likely to cause significant freight movements;
- c.ensure that any increased risk to walking, wheeling and/or cycling road users arising from freight is mitigated by cycling/walking infrastructure and by council monitored travel plans (including cycle awareness training for drivers);
- d.ensure that improvements are made to local walking and cycling infrastructure;
- e.ensure that they do not cause impacts to residential amenity on approach routes to the proposed development; and
- f.ensure that the layout of developments and facilities are provided within developments to cater for smaller scale deliveries (e.g. food and parcel deliveries.
Explanation
- Freight is essential for both our economy and productivity. It supports a broad range of sectors, including manufacturing, retail, and waste management. It is also an important sector in its own right. However, many logistics sites in the borough will be reliant on road-based freight, taking advantage of the strategic location within the national motorway network. This freight makes a large contribution to carbon emissions in the borough.
- Logistics is also becoming even more important to everyday life. There has been an increase in demand due to high levels of internet shopping and demands for same-day or next-day deliveries. The growth in online retailing and ‘just in time’ approaches to manufacturing and other businesses is increasing the number of smaller scale deliveries. This is contributing to congestion and pollution, particularly in urban areas. The increase in fast food takeaways, restaurants, and other establishments that offer a delivery service is also adding to this pressure.
- Higher population and employment densities in locations such as the town centre will exacerbate these pressures. It will therefore be important to manage such