The Mayor's Ambient Noise Strategy - Greater London Authority

The Mayor’s Ambient Noise Strategy Mayor of London 81
Box 28: Home deliveries, e-shopping, and new forms of working
Home delivery services, where available and affordable, can be of great
value to those who may be housebound, or unable to carry shopping. A
proliferation of home delivery services could, however, increase
congestion and noise. More delivery vehicles, large as well as small, could
seek to penetrate quiet residential streets in hitherto quieter periods of
the day. Some delivery to intermediate points such as ‘electronic corner
shops’, workplaces, or points on the public transport system, rather than
just the home, could help to reduce the overall noise impact. It is not yet
clear how far new forms of working, at home, at non-traditional places, or
on the move, could reduce noise overall. For instance, regular
homeworkers may be more likely to relocate to areas which involve longer
trips on the fewer occasions when travel is required. Noise needs to be
considered alongside the other implications of new patterns of living.
policy 13
The Mayor and Transport for London will work with the London boroughs,
business and the freight, distribution and servicing industries, and others
where relevant, to ensure the needs of business and Londoners for the
movement of goods (including waste) and services are met, whilst
minimising congestion and environmental impacts in accordance with the
objectives of the Mayor’s Transport, Air Quality, Municipal Waste
Management and Ambient Noise Strategies.
proposal 10 Transport for London will continue its active membership of, and continue
to work with, the London Sustainable Distribution Partnership (LSDP) to
assist in developing and implementing effective improvements. Elements
to be considered alongside other objectives include:
■ Encouraging accelerated take-up of cleaner and quieter vehicles;
■ Promoting better vehicle maintenance and smoother driving.
The London Lorry Ban
4A.49 The London Night and Weekend Lorry Control Scheme, often referred to
as the ‘London Lorry Ban’, was introduced, following an independent
inquiry chaired by Derek Wood QC. It was implemented from 1986 under
the Greater London (Restriction of Goods Vehicles) Traffic Order, 1986.
The scheme is now administered by the Association of London
Government on behalf of the London boroughs. Its objectives were to
ensure that environmental benefits to London residents, particularly in
relation to noise, were realised following the opening of the M25 by
removing through-London freight trips and minimising use of unsuitable
roads. It places restrictions on the use of heavy commercial vehicles (over
18 tonnes maximum gross weight) during the night (defined as 9 pm to 7
am) and additionally during the weekend (from 1 pm on Saturday through
until Monday at 7 am). It does not deny night or weekend deliveries to