Local Transport Plan 5 consultation

Land for freight and logistics

Land availability is extremely important to the freight industry and is an area that the council can support as the planning authority. Ensuring suitable land is available for freight and logistics is essential to support economic development in the county. It is also important to ensure that facilities are located appropriately to minimise negative impacts on our communities. Outside of land for new facilities, other considerations include land for HGV rest and parking facilities to support driver welfare.

Local Plan

• Action 1: We will work to embed freight and logistics policies in the Local Plan that reflect the objectives of the Freight and Logistics Strategy.

HGV rest and parking facilities

• Action 2a: We will collaborate with neighbouring local authorities, sub-national transport bodies and other stakeholders to identify suitable rest stops, overnight parking and vehicle charging and refuelling facilities for HGVs.
• Action 2b: We will engage with local stakeholders to encourage provision of safe and appropriate parking facilities.  
• Action 2c: We will embed considerations into the Local Plan about HGV rest and parking facilities in new employment sites.

New developments and major infrastructure schemes

There is major infrastructure construction and housing construction that generates freight movements in Buckinghamshire. This includes major construction work of the HS2 and East West Rail (EWR) rail lines which is beyond the Council's control. Under the government’s new housing target Buckinghamshire will be required to deliver around 95,000 new homes in the county by 2045. We therefore need to ensure the associated freight movements are well managed to protect our environment and communities.

New developments and infrastructure schemes

• Action 3: We will work with internal partners and external stakeholders to seek the inclusion of freight considerations in significant new residential developments, commercial developments and major infrastructure schemes.

Freight management plans

• Action 4a: We will work with internal partners and external stakeholders to make Construction Traffic Management Plans a default requirement for all planning proposals of a significant scale or where there is a reasonable expectation that there would be a risk of disruption to the local community during the construction phase.
• Action 4b: We will work with internal partners and external stakeholders to encourage the use of Delivery and Service Plans in the planning process.

Transport emissions

Reducing transport emissions is one of our overarching Local Transport Plan 5 objectives. Freight currently contributes 31% of carbon dioxide emissions in the county and also contributes to air pollution. Measures are therefore needed to support the industry to reduce emissions.

Alternative fuels

• Action 5: We will engage with external stakeholders to understand alternative fuel requirements and explore opportunities to support.

EV charging

• Action 6: We will actively support a switch to electric LGVs and commercial vehicles by delivering electric vehicle charging infrastructure and considering the needs of the freight industry and futureproofing requirements in electric vehicle charging work. 

Modal shift

• Action 7: We will work with the Strategic Transport Bodies, industry stakeholders and others to promote a switch from road to rail where possible to take freight off our roads.

Last mile

The last mile refers to delivery from a distribution centre to the customer’s doorstep. Last mile delivery is typically done in light goods vehicles (LGVs). There has been a significant increase in LGV traffic over the last 10 years which is causing challenges in Buckinghamshire such as contribution to congestion and air pollution. To address these challenges, we are supporting measures that reduce the number of LGVs whilst still enabling efficient last mile delivery.

Cargo bikes

• Action 8: We will investigate the commercially viable use of cargo bikes in Buckinghamshire and provide justification for a trial in the county to demonstrate the cost and benefits.

Parcel lockers

• Action 9: We will work to incorporate the siting of parcel lockers in residential developments, commercial developments, communal spaces and public car parks.

Consolidation

• Action 10: We will seek to identify and support opportunities for consolidation in Buckinghamshire by engaging with logistics companies, large employers, small businesses and independent retailers.

New development last mile considerations

• Action 11: We will work to embed last mile policies in the Local Plan and ensure consideration during the planning process.  

HGV routes

Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are the primary way goods are moved in the UK carrying around 80% of goods. Efficient HGV movement is essential to supporting residents' everyday lives and the economy. HGVs are permitted to use any classification of road for access and deliveries.

However, there are issues with HGVs using inappropriate routes in the county for through trips which negatively impacts on our communities. To help address this we are proposing measures to promote appropriate routes, protect our communities and support the freight industry to move goods efficiently.

Lorry route map

• Action 12: We will review, update and publish a new lorry route map.

Promoting appropriate routes

• Action 13: We will make information about appropriate lorry routes and restrictions available on the Buckinghamshire Council website and share it with industry bodies and stakeholders.

Interventions and enforcement

• Action 14a: We will support the enforcement of weight restrictions using our moving traffic offences powers, promoting locations for enforcement based on data of TRO breaches and relevant public input.
• Action 14b: We will give consideration to localised interventions to encourage use of appropriate routes where there is a robust justification and value for money.

Innovation

There is a range of new technologies being developed in the freight and logistics sector which may help to improve efficiency and reduce emissions. Whilst many of these innovations are being developed and implemented by the freight industry, it is important that we are prepared for them, adaptable and identify opportunities to support delivery where feasible.

Drones and air mobility

• Action 15a: We will identify the opportunities and concerns presented by the introduction of drone and air-mobility technologies.
• Action 15b: We will work with internal and external stakeholders to explore the need for drone and air-mobility infrastructure.

Innovation monitoring and enforcement

• Action 16: We will monitor and appraise new innovation and technologies, adjusting the Freight and Logistics Strategy to support stakeholders to take advantage of new innovations where required.

Collaboration

Collaboration is key to delivering our objectives. The freight and logistics industry is privately owned and commercially operated therefore much of it is beyond the council’s control. As a result, we need to engage with the industry to understand their needs and how the council can support delivery of mutual goals.

Communities

• Action 17: We will give communities affected by freight guidance on information required and access to information to help manage their own freight issues.

Freight forums

• Action 18: We will play an active role in the EEH Freight Officer Group and the Wider South-East Freight Forum.

Industry bodies and monitoring

• Action 19: We will work with industry bodies and operators to support delivery of the Freight and Logistics Strategy.

Data management and monitoring

Freight data is challenging to obtain, especially at the local level, due to commercial sensitivity. Therefore, we will explore and make use of all available sources to improve our understanding of freight in Buckinghamshire. We will also conduct monitoring to understand the impact and effectiveness of any interventions delivered.

• Action 20a: We will explore and make use of all available date sources to improve our understanding of freight in Buckinghamshire.
• Action 20b: We will ensure localised interventions are supported by evidence and monitoring is conducted to understand impacts and effectiveness.
• Action 20c: We will work to make relevant data available and engage with the freight industry to understand data requirements.

Road safety

Local Transport Plan 5 seeks to improve safety for all road users and deliver places that put the needs of people first and are safe and accessible for all. As part of this we need to consider freight vehicles and how we can reduce road danger from freight as part of the Safe System approach.

• Action 21a: we will explore ways we can reduce road danger from freight and the number of HGV collisions.
• Action 21b: We will incorporate freight safety considerations in planning and scheme design.

Freight awareness

There is a lack of awareness about the way the freight and logistics system operates and how decisions can affect it. Addressing freight blindness is a key priority for the sector and we will work to support this by raising awareness of freight and logistics in Buckinghamshire and council decision making.

Raising awareness

• Action 22: We will seek opportunities to raise awareness about freight. 

Council decision making

• Action 23: We will raise awareness of freight and logistics within the council and include consideration of freight and logistics in council decision making.