Draft Freight Strategy Consultation
8.0 Servicing and deliveries
Large goods vehicles being used to carry out deliveries in residential areas, and town and village centres can be an issue of concern for residents. Roads through many of the historic market towns and villages in Central Bedfordshire are of insufficient width to easily accommodate large goods vehicles. Servicing and delivery can contribute to already congested conditions, vehicle noise, and pollution. Poorly parked vehicles may inhibit access for residents, restrict visibility and can be a safety concern.
8.1 Waiting and loading restrictions, and loading bays
Waiting and loading restrictions can be used to manage where and when vehicles are able to stop to either wait or load on any given length of public highway. They can be designed to specifically manage when deliveries can take place and can be a useful tool, particularly in town and village centre streets where there is a high level of pedestrian activity, to manage competing demands. In locations where frequent deliveries are likely and space permits, it may be possible to provide a designated loading bay. Further information can be found in the On-street Parking Management Strategy.
8.2 Servicing and deliveries at new developments
New commercial developments should, wherever possible, be designed to accommodate the types of vehicles likely to be used to load and unload goods within the site, and not on the public highway. Where relevant, waiting and / or loading restrictions could be implemented via a planning condition where it is considered that the proposed development could increase the possibility of large goods vehicles waiting or loading in inappropriate locations near to the proposed development. Further information on parking and servicing requirements for new developments can be found in Parking Standards for New Developments Supplementary Planning Document.
8.3 Actions related to servicing and deliveries
Action 3 – Servicing and deliveries
- Waiting and / or loading restrictions and loading bays could be implemented to manage large goods vehicles waiting or loading on the public highway.
- The Council will ensure that provision for servicing and deliveries are adequately catered for in new developments.
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