Businesses in York are being encouraged to take part in a last mile delivery trial, which aims to cut the city centre congestion and air pollution, with parcels sent to a hub near the city walls before they are delivered into the centre by cargo bikes or on foot.
City of York Council has been given £285,000 by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for the nine-month project.
The council has identified one of its own buildings, 107-109 Walmgate, as a suitable delivery hub for the pilot, which is set to begin in September.
Delivery operators such as Amazon, Royal Mail, Hermes and DPD were surveyed as part of a feasibility study and the council will now look to sign operators and city centre businesses up to the trial.
Labour’s transport spokesperson, Cllr Rachel Melly, said: “Freight accounts for one third of all transport carbon emissions and van traffic has doubled in the 25 years leading up to 2019, so the council looking at alternatives is long overdue.
“Other cities are ahead of York on this, so I’ll hope you’ll learn from other places that have operated these sorts of distribution hubs.
“I support this trial in principle but I feel it will be a missed opportunity unless more work is done on realising the potential benefits.”
