1. Freight Consolidation Centres The Bristol Experience
Sustainable Mobility Convention
21st September 2010
Park Plaza, Victoria, London
Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

2. In this presentation... Background: The Challenges
Consolidation: The Concept
Consolidation: Delivering the Benefits
Consolidation: Bristol Scheme
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

3. Background: The Challenges
Consolidation: The Concept
Consolidation: Delivering the Benefits
Consolidation: Bristol Scheme
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

4. The Challenges
Congestion in the UK increasing at a cost of £20 billion per annum to UK industry;
Increasing demands on city centre road network from:
- Private cars
- Freight movements especially light goods
Retailing forms integral part of city centre but creates its own challenges in the generation of additional demand on the road infrastructure;
Development of an attractive urban area for residents, tourists and shoppers creates accessibility problems for goods vehicles
Statutory requirements and increased pressure on Councils and Local Authorities to measure air quality and to manage pollution through ‘Air Quality Management Areas’.
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

5. Consolidation: The Concept
Background: The Challenges
Consolidation: The Concept
Consolidation: Delivering the Benefits
Consolidation: Bristol Scheme
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

6. Congested urban environment
The Concept - Before
Direct deliveries
RDC
Supplier warehouses
Congested urban environment
Parcel Carriers
- All deliveries are made direct into the city centre
- Suppliers compete with other road users for road space, often in the peak period for congestion
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

7. Consolidation centre platform
The Concept - After
Consolidation centre platform
Direct deliveries
RDC
Supplier warehouses
Urban environment
Parcel Carriers
Supplier deliveries are made to an out of town consolidation centre
Deliveries are grouped onto dedicated delivery vehicles for onward delivery
Electric vehicles used for onward delivery
Returns handled
Waste and recycling collected

8. The Concept Industry Comment:
Brian Wadsworth, Former Director of Maritime and Logistics, the Department for Transport:
“I can think of no other system or process which is capable of achieving movement savings of the order of 70%! If the concept took hold and became widespread in our cities and towns, the cumulative traffic savings thus generated would be impressive, to put it mildly”
Richard Turner, Former Head of the Freight Transport Association:
“…it works with the grain of the industry rather than imposing a new layer on it.”
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

9. Background: The Challenges
Consolidation: The Concept
Consolidation: Delivering the Benefits
Consolidation: Bristol Scheme
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

10. Delivering benefits to stakeholders
Feature
Council/urban area
Supplier/carrier
Retailer/End user
Consolidated deliveries
Reduced congestion – 77% fewer vehicle movements improves road conditions
Reduced delivery time - quicker turnarounds with less conflict and assistance
More dependable delivery service;
Fewer staff hours spent receiving-in deliveries;
More time spent selling in stores
24/7 receiving-in
Reduced congestion in morning peak period
Reduced travel times by travelling out of peak
More dependable service as suppliers not in congestion
Out of town delivery point
Strategic location reduces impact of goods vehicles
Fewer parking fines and reduced vehicle miles in congested area
Cost savings can be negotiated from supplier/ carrier

11. Delivering benefits to stakeholders
Feature
Council/urban area
Supplier/carrier
Retailer/End user
Impact on environment
Reduced noise and improved Air Quality through reduction of CO2, NOX and PM10s affecting local environment for the benefit of residents, shoppers and tourists
Reduced carbon cost per pallet delivered
Electric vehicle
Adds to environmental benefits and gives good PR
Waste handling
Revenue from recycling
Increased recycling at reduced handling cost

12. Delivering benefits to stakeholders
Feature
Council/urban area
Supplier/carrier
Retailer/End user
Off-site stock holding
Additional revenue reduces net investment
Increases space available for retail
Pre-retail services
More efficient operations

13. Delivering benefits to stakeholders
Feature
Council/urban area
Supplier/carrier
Retailer/End user
Long term planning impact
Reduced wear and tear on road infrastructure leading to lower maintenance costs and avoidance of disruption caused by engineering works.
Safer and more attractive urban environment.
More efficient supply chains

14. Background: The Challenges
Consolidation: The Concept
Consolidation: Delivering the Benefits
Consolidation: Bristol Scheme
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

15. Bristol Consolidation Centre
Pilot started as part of CIVITAS I “VIVALDI” Project
Continued with further support from EU START Project
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

16. Bristol Consolidation Centre
Developing the Scheme
Secured support of stakeholders Broadmead Board, Business West and The Galleries;
Survey of 118 retailers in 2003 to establish current delivery patterns and operational constraints;
Broadmead target area has over 100,000 deliveries per year;
Helped identify the type of retailer where consolidation benefit could be maximised;
Medium size retailers, non-perishable goods, not very high value goods;
Set the framework for the scheme.
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

17. Bristol Consolidation Centre
Achieving Objectives
55 retail outlets are currently receiving consolidated deliveries
Delivery vehicle movements have been reduced by on average 75% for participating retailers
Total vehicle reduction: 11,000
Total vehicle kilometres saved: 271,000
Use electric vehicle to increase environmental benefits
Emissions saved: CO2 73 tonnes, Nox 2,400kgs, PM10 70kgs
Recycled 25 tonnes of cardboard/plastic
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

18. Bristol Consolidation Centre
Consolidation Centre Location
Located on western fringe of Bristol on established industrial estate;
Close to strategic road network (M5, M4);
Approx 3000 sq ft warehousing space;
10 miles from city centre target area;
Approx 25 mins journey time to target area;
Operates using a 9 tonne electric vehicle and an 18 tonne Euro 4 vehicle;
All drivers are SAFED trained;

19. Bristol Consolidation Centre
Retailer Satisfaction Survey
75% of all retailers interviewed chose the consolidation scheme because of improved service and cost reduction opportunities;
94% would recommend the service to another retailer;
More than half of retailers are saving over 20 minutes per delivery;
45% say staff are less stressed and have improved morale;
38% say they can now spend more time with their customers;
No retailer has received any loss or damage to stock.
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

20. Bristol Consolidation Centre
Developing the Scheme
Bristol City Council values the environmental benefits the scheme brings
Ongoing mainstream funding required but this needs to be progressively falling
Growth in retailer numbers is required to achieve sustainability
Entrepreneurial use of the assets is essential
End users of consolidation must pay in line with the benefits received
Non-retail end users to be brought into the scheme
Scope of services can be expanded to serve other centres
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council

21. Contact us Ed Minihane Bristol City Council Ed.minihane@bristol.gov.uk
Sustainable Mobility Convention l 21 Sep 2010 l London l Ed Minihane, Bristol City Council