Speedy is working with Canary Wharf Contractors to reduce vehicle movements and improve efficiencies on the South Bank where contractors have until now had to order van and lorry deliveries from less local facilities . Speedy’s new outlet will consolidate individual orders and deliver these from its London Superstore in Acton.
The expectation is that most customers will collect tools on foot. Any customer deliveries will, as far as possible, be made by electric vehicles.
Housed in what was a disused railway arch on Sutton Walk, the new Speedy centre is linked to the £1.5bn Southbank Place development, a joint venture by Canary Wharf Group and Qatari Diar, which is being built by Canary Wharf Contractors. It will also be open for use by neighbouring construction projects.
Speedy chief executive Russell Down explained: “There are around 20 major developments in the area and hire provision is limited in the immediate vicinity. We determined the optimal solution was to open a public-facing depot rather than a site-only operation. This will provide the critical mass to deliver the reduction in vehicle movement targets. We estimate that the establishment of this new outlet will reduce vehicle movements significantly, and consequently benefit the local area.”
Canary Wharf Contractors managing director Cormac MacCrann added: “A plant hire outlet will be a benefit to the project and to the local community. It will reduce the number of deliveries to the project and therefore reduce traffic congestion.”
Canary Wharf Contractors is letting Speedy have the premises rent-free in exchange for a percentage of the turnover going to local charities. These include the Lighthouse Club, which provides support to the families of construction workers who have suffered injuries or illness.
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