Don’t take freight – reduce, rethink and retime
Q&A: LONDON 2012 TIME TO GET READY
Q. WE ARE BASED IN THE CITY, AND WE USE A NUMBER OF FREIGHT SUPPLIERS TO DELIVER PERISHABLE GOODS TO OUR OFFICE EACH DAY. WE HAVE LIMITED STORAGE SPACE, SO WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS?
A. The City is a hotspot, and deliveries to this area are likely to be affected during Games time. While access to businesses will be maintained and your firm will be able to receive deliveries, you should start to plan now to minimise disruption to your deliveries.
Businesses should review the perishable goods they require during the Games and reduce freight traffic where possible.
While some sectors, such as the hospitality industry, are expecting an increase in activity during the Games, others may be aiming to reduce the level of staff at their site. It is important to consider the supplies you require during the Games period and whether demand is likely to change.
Many businesses are planning to stockpile non-perishable goods during the Games. For businesses with limited storage space, it may be possible to work collaboratively with neighbouring businesses.
Transport for London and London 2012 are working with both freight and business trade associations, business forums and business intermediaries to raise awareness of the impacts the Games will have on deliveries, collections and servicing.
To ensure your suppliers are aware of the impacts of the Games, it is important to have early conversations with them. Find out how they are preparing for the Games, and plan ahead to avoid disruption. Make your suppliers aware of your needs during the Games and discuss any changes to your normal operations or those of your suppliers.
There are several actions businesses can take to reduce the impact the Games has on deliveries. Your business may want to consider reducing deliveries by pre-ordering and stockpiling non-perishable items and coordinating deliveries with neighbours who share the same suppliers. Other options are retiming deliveries to avoid peak hours and rerouting deliveries around road hotspots in your area – if necessary identifying different delivery points or loading/unloading locations.
Over the next two months, your questions on Olympic preparedness will be answered in City A.M. every Monday by the Transport for London and London 2012 team. For more information, visit london2012.com/traveladviceforbusiness.