Earlier this year, we commenced a groundbreaking new scheme in partnership with CEVA Logistics and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
This saw the launch of a twice daily river service running from Dartford to Butler’s Wharf Pier, with vessels carrying essential medical supplies and vital non-perishable equipment for the hospital. The final stretch of the journey – from the pier to Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital – is then completed by electric cargo bikes.
The thinking behind it was simple: to help reduce the hospital’s carbon footprint, in keeping with their aim of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2030, and contributing towards the Mayor of London’s aim to reduce the number of lorries and vans entering central London by 10% by 2026.
Prior to the Trust undertaking the trial scheme, they were running three delivery trucks which travelled around 1,500 miles per week. For each truck removed from the road, approximately 708kg of CO2 could be saved per week.
The partnership would therefore also showcase how the River Thames continues to brim with potential as a green solution to London’s logistics needs, reducing air pollution in the capital in the process.
Fittingly, the three-month pilot scheme launched on Clean Air Day 2021 (Thursday 17 June). It garnered significant media attention, featuring on ITV News London, as well as online publications including Post & Parcel, PLA, CEVA, BWA, City Logistics, and the NHS.
# betterbywater. Livetts deliver. Delighted to be working with CEVA and NHS pic.twitter.com/53acTPHoyp
— Chris Livett (@ChrisLivett) June 18, 2021
The pilot scheme’s launch – and subsequent success – was the result of months of hard work and planning from all parties. And we are delighted to say that effort has now been recognised.
The Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2021 took place on Monday 8 November in London, with the Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and CEVA Logistics’ scheme scooping the Urban Logistics award. It has been an absolute pleasure working with everyone involved and we are very pleased to have played our part in this immensely worthwhile endeavour.
“We have been very excited and proud to be a part of this trial as it is a clear example of the positive use of the River Thames, something we are constantly striving for,” explains Ed Livett, Director of Livett’s Group. “We look forward to continuing to help freight back onto the river and proving it to be an environmentally sustainable and safe solution.”
News of this award once again highlights Livett’s commitment to reducing environmental impact wherever possible – as demonstrated by our win in the Environment & Sustainability Initiative of the Year category at the 2019 British Construction Industry Awards for our work on the Thames Tideway Tunnel.
We look forward to continuing the successful partnership with CEVA Logistics and Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on the River Thames in the long-term.
If you have any questions or enquiries regarding an upcoming project on the River Thames, we would be delighted to help. You can contact us via phone (020 7378 1211), email (info@livetts.co.uk) or via our contact page.
