 The issue of how to reduce congestion in our city centres remains a keenly debated topic, with councils nationwide seeking practical and inexpensive solutions to the problems caused by increased traffic
A working solution is already on the streets. Palletline’s innovative ‘City 24’ concept uses an established national infrastructure to deliver effective reductions in commercial traffic into town and city centres.
The Palletline City 24 model is designed around consolidation, reducing the number of vehicles entering city centres by providing frequent consolidated deliveries from designated centres on the outskirts of Britain’s major towns and cities.
Operating the service on a 24 hour basis which includes timed evening and night time collections and deliveries, City 24 provides a congestion solution which enables users to select a premium, environmentally friendly service to improve accessibility and reliability as well as avoiding escalating parking fines.
A national solution
City 24 is already well placed to offer national solutions, too. With the Palletline network in operation across the UK since 1992, businesses can utilise this nationwide facility to collect from manufacturing locations or warehouses anywhere in the country for onward distribution to Palletline consolidation centres and eventual delivery in and around city centres, using low emission vehicles.
City 24 provides a significant expansion in consumer choice in terms of delivery options and timings, and will also help city councils to achieve congestion and environmental objectives whilst enabling businesses to retain real choice and flexibility.
The service brings together a wide range of associated facilities, from stockholding to meet seasonal demand through to added value services such as breakbulk, pick and pack and pre-retail, even dealing with dry packaging waste from stores for recycling where required.
Reducing emissions
In London, Palletline’s City 24 operation has invested in specially adapted low emission Renault Mascott vehicles, built around an HGV type chassis with a load capacity approaching that of a standard 7.5 tonner but with nimble handling and manoeuvrability, which makes the fleet the perfect choice for deliveries around the capital.
In Norwich, where the consolidation centre has been up and running for more than 12 months, the city council has taken the initiative a step further. An experimental traffic order is allowing City 24 consolidation centre vehicles to use the bus lane on one of the main approach roads to the city centre. The aim is to offer consolidation centre customers the added benefit of greater reliability of deliveries into the city.
As a result, the local Lush store is one of many Norwich city centre businesses making use of the consolidation centre concept. Lush markets skincare products made fresh by hand using little preservative and packaging, and not tested on animals. The greener consolidation centre approach is very much in keeping with Lush’s corporate objectives and environmental commitments.
Steve Miles, who is responsible for logistics throughout Lush’s nationwide operation, is in favour of the Norwich initiative. “Previously, we were using an independent overnight carrier for movement of goods into our Norwich store. When we were approached regarding the City 24 concept, it not only made good practical and commercial sense but also ticked the right boxes in terms of achieving reduced emissions and a greener approach to deliveries.”
“We have enjoyed excellent levels of service and expect to see significant benefits in peak trading periods – alongside knowing we are contributing to reducing congestion in the historic streets of Norwich, making the city a more pleasant place to be.”
Commenting for Palletline, Managing Director Kevin Buchanan underlined the real potential of the City 24 concept. “City 24 is an industry-leading innovation which also makes excellent practical and commercial sense, ticking all the right boxes in terms of reducing congestion, emissions, noise and environmental pollution as well as reduced wear and tear on city streets,” he stated.
For more information
To find out more about Palletline City 24 and associated Palletline services, please contact:-
The Palletline Centre
Starley Way
Solihull, B37 7HB
Tel: 0121 767 6870
Web: www.palletline.com |
