2 October 2018
After 12 months of operating the first council sponsored zero emissions delivery service, ZED Waltham Forest has:
- saved an estimated 2,300kg CO2 emissions
- by cycling in excess of 7,700 kilometres, and
- delivering more than 8,000 packages to businesses and residents.
This week ZED, the zero emissions delivery service kick started by Waltham Forest Council, has celebrated its first birthday.
The service, which was established after the council secured money from the Mayor’s Air Quality Fund, has become an essential service for many local businesses helping them to thrive and expand.
ZED uses delivery bikes, trikes and an electric van to courier packages from local businesses including an organic farm, a coffee roasters, bakers and florists to their customers in the borough, as well as in central London. By using bikes and electric vehicles the team are able to provide a quick, efficient and reliable service to customers and actively tackle congestion and air pollution on the capital’s roads.
Last week the team met the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan when he visited Francis Road, Leyton, to announce the next round of Mayor’s Air Quality Funding.
Sadiq Khan meeting ZED riders and councillors on Francis Road, Leyton
There Mr Khan said: “Waltham Forest is an example of a good council working with City Hall to make the quality of life better for their residents, dealing with local pollution hotspots.”
As well as serving local businesses the ZED team also deliver items for the council, including library books to residents who are unable to leave their home, providing a vital service which helps vulnerable residents stay connected to the local community.
Councillor Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “ZED has become an invaluable asset to this borough by providing an essential service which is helping local businesses to grow while also tackling the burning issue of air quality.
“Their service helps to take diesel and petrol vans off our streets, allowing all of us to breathe a little easier.
“The team are a friendly group of local riders who really know the area, so provide a great service to their customers. We have received great feedback from residents and clients about how they’ve delivered their goods efficiently and safely.”
Over the last 12 months the team has grown to include 12 riders who work flexibly, while earning the London Living Wage. So far they have delivered over 8,000 packages, cycling in excess of 7,700 kilometres, saving an estimated 2,300kg in carbon emissions.
ZED Waltham Forest manager Oscar Godoy said: “This year we have worked with our clients to get established and provide them with a competitive delivery service. Our tailored and flexible service has helped to take the pressure of logistics off their shoulders, providing them with extra time to focus on their business and expand their own services. Many now offer customers the chance to buy goods online and have them delivered by ZED.
“There is nothing we cannot transport between the bikes and the electric van, and I know our customers are thrilled when they see our riders come to their doors, because they know their goods have arrived safely, but that they’ve also done their bit for the local environment too.”
ZED is operated by the courier service Zedify which has also expanded this year and now provides zero emissions courier services in seven UK locations.
Managing Director of Zedify Rob King said: “The ZED team are a great bunch who are passionate about working with the community to make a difference. We’re really excited to see the business become such an integral part of the community.”
Last week the Mayor of London also met owners of Venner store, a homeware and gift shop, who use ZED to courier their items from local suppliers.
Tiff Howick, co-founder of the shop, said: “We specifically chose to open our store in Francis Road because we liked the idea of the road being pedestrianised. There have been lots of new businesses opening up in recent months and there is a great community atmosphere among us and our customers.
“ZED provide us with a great service bringing our stock from our local suppliers across Waltham Forest. They are a great friendly local team, who really care about their customers and the environment.”
Local businesses can trial ZED’s services with £100 of free credit to take up this offer and find out more visit: https://zedwalthamforest.co.uk
