London hospitals trial blood deliveries by bike as Mayor's toxic air levy comes in

Green initiative: cargo bikes will be used by Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals
BILLTANAKA.com

Blood and tumour samples could be transported by cargo bike as one of London’s biggest NHS trusts prepares for Mayor Sadiq Khan’s toxic air levy.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals are to trial cycle deliveries of medical supplies as part of a wider “green” initiative accompanying next Monday’s launch of the ultra low emission zone (Ulez).

Both hospitals are within the central London Ulez and trust chiefs want to reduce the number of freight deliveries. To tackle this, a pilot scheme involving the outsourced pathology departments — which analyse blood tests and biopsies — will be launched.

David Lawson, head of procurement at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We need to ensure critical deliveries every day across our central London hospital and community sites. With a cycle path on our doorstep, we are looking to trial cargo bikes in partnership with our pathology provider, Viapath.

“This is part of a wider consolidation strategy to design out 90 per cent of freight deliveries into the trust.” A spokeswoman said the trial would initially focus on blood products. It will replace an hourly motorbike or van courier service between the two hospitals.

The use of cargo bikes is being promoted by Team London Bridge, the area’s business improvement district.

It wants 15 per cent of firms to use the bikes for deliveries in central London. This could eradicate the need for 28,750 van journeys a year, it says.

Businesses such as Ikea, Sainsbury’s and TNT already use cargo bikes and wider use could reduce the 9,000 premature deaths in London each year caused by toxic air. Nadia Broccardo, chief executive of Team London Bridge, said the Ulez was a “real opportunity to rethink how best to move freight over short distances in the capital”.

She added: “From groceries to medical supplies, cargo bikes can help businesses cut costs and journey times, as well as pollution that is blighting life in London.” It is not the first time that cargo bikes have been used in the capital. First Mile, a green recycling company, makes deliveries within the West End.

Lilli Matson, TfL’s director of transport strategy, said: “We’re working closely with businesses and business groups ... to encourage people to think about cleaner, safer and more efficient ways of moving goods. Cargo bikes have real potential to help clean up London’s toxic air and it’s fantastic to see Team London Bridge’s bold ambitions for cycle freight.”

Only 11 per cent of motorists know which vehicles will have to pay the Ulez, research by Auto Trader suggested. The £12.50-a-day charge will typically be levied on diesel cars more than four years old, petrol cars more than 14 years old and motorbikes more than 12 years old.

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