Cross River Partnership seeking sites for last-mile delivery consolidation

The Cross River Partnership has put out a call for available spaces in London which can be used as Urban Logistics Hubs to enable emissions free deliveries across the capital.

The partnership are asking that landlords who have some unused space consider renting it out as a logistics hub or micro site, which act as a crucial step for sorting deliveries, which can reduce the number of vehicle trips and congestion, to then enable deliveries to be made on electric vehicle, by bike or on foot. 

The larger logistics hubs will be of sufficient size that fleets of electric vans can access them. The smaller version – the micro site –  functions in the same way but in a smaller space, hosting cargo bikes.

There are already a variety of established logistics hubs in central London. Parcel delivery company DPD provides distribution services from a logistics hub in Westminster, utilising a fleet of 10 electric vans and eight micro-vehicles. In December 2020, The City of London approved its first Last Mile Logistics Hub for Amazon Logistics.

Suitable sites may vary widely in terms of nature and scale, with CRP giving underused car parks or B8 use land as examples of sites with potential. 

When research was initially conducted into setting up logistic hubs, operators said they were willing to consider a variety of different types of site as long as costs are not prohibitive. However, they did describe how their ‘ideal’ sites might look:

The ideal large-scale logistics hub:

Location Space Access: Needs to be proximate to TLRN to enable efficient vehicle access. Want to avoid local one-way systems if possible.

Space: Floor space of at least 280m² (3,000ft²) but ideally 465-930m² (5,000-10,000ft² ). As much headroom as possible.

Access: Minimum height of 3m but >4m could be needed. Standard hours are usually 08:00-18:00. 

Lease: Longer lease period of 5+ years preferred but is highly dependent on client contracts.

Security: CCTV system needs to be in place to protect assets, goods and staff. Individual secure spaces are needed if operators are to co-locate with others.

Other: Electric vehicle charging points may be needed, depending on the vehicles in use and the nature of operation

The ‘ideal’ micro-hub site:

Location Space Access: Needs to be proximate to TLRN to enable efficient vehicle access. Want to avoid local one-way systems if possible. Focussed within central London.

Space: Floor space between 90-185m²(1,000-2,000ft²) is ideal. Railway arches and under-utilised car parks most suitable, but other spaces can be considered.

Access: Height access requirement typically >3m but >2m can be workable. Access likely to be needed over a 14-hour period starting from 06:00

Lease: Shorter leases with high levels of flexibility preferred. Break clause preferred if possible.

Security: CCTV system needs to be in place to protect assets, goods and staff. Individual secure spaces are needed if operators are to co-locate with others.

Other: Electric vehicle charging points may be needed, depending on the vehicles in use and the nature of operation

Anyone interesting in leasing space for a logistics hub or a micro hub should submit the form on this page