Wilson James says consolidation centres can improve road safety
The high profile chairman of a construction logistics company is to submit evidence to a select committee carrying out an Inquiry into improving road safety urging that material consolidation centres be made mandatory for London projects.
Gary Sullivan, chairman of Wilson James, said that if projects were forced to use consolidation centres it could cut traffic by 60% from the capital and ensure deliveries were only being made by highly skilled drivers.
Rather than materials suppliers taking all their deliveries straight to sites, they are delivered to a single centre and then materials delivered as needed to site when needed. The consolidation centre lorry packages supplies up for a number of sites and delivers them like a milk round, thus cutting traffic, claims Sullivan.
Gary Sullivan: cut traffic
Wilson James set up the capital’s only consolidation centres – now in Silvertown in London E16 and at Heathrow for BAA – but although mandated by clients such as Stanhope and contractor Skanska, it only handles deliveries for 0.5% of London construction work.
Sullivan said operating using just in time deliveries in this way also cut construction costs. “I think it will only work if the main contractor is mandated by client, like Stanhope currently does, as I think construction is so resistant to change”
The Select Committee of MPs will consider a ban on rush hour deliveries by lorries as part of its Inquiry. Calls have been made this week from Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman for the Mayor to restrict delivery times for HGVs after six cyclists have been killed in 14 days on London’s roads. The construction sector is concerned that a ban would push up costs.
Wilson James claims that consolidating delivery to site also:
- Reduces materials waste of up to 15%;
- Increases productivity of the site labour force of up to 30 minutes per day, which equates to 25 workers working a 10 hours shift on a site employing 500 operatives;
- Reduces the number of construction vehicles entering the City of London and delivering to the sites being served by the LCCC, by 68%; and
- Reduces CO2 emissions from reduction of vehicle movements by 75%.
