Transport for London’s proposals to extend parking restrictions beyond the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and increase fines during the 2012 Games.

John Mitchell, Managing Director of crate rental specialist Pluscrates has hit out at Transport for London’s proposals to extend parking restrictions beyond the Olympic Route Network (ORN) and increase fines during the 2012 Games.  Pluscrates supplies crates for the relocation industry and makes daily deliveries to corporate addresses in central London.

“Companies like ours provide the logistic support that’s vital for London’s relocation business to function,” said John. “We already have to bear the cost of penalty charge notices (PCN’s) when we’re carrying out our legitimate deliveries in central London and even during normal times the cost runs into tens of thousands of pounds every year.  The last thing we need is higher fines and more restrictions during what is normally our peak trading season.”

While it is expected that some relocations will be planned to avoid the Games period, others will be determined by commercial time constraints and cannot be re-scheduled.  Many London corporates are requiring their commercial movers to submit operational plans to ensure continuity of service during the Games period. Some might say a reasonable enough request given that Transport for London (TFL) has released details of planned road changes and details on the proposed Olympic lanes. However, if the proposed parking restrictions to areas surrounding the ORN are implemented, planning will become a logistical nightmare.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has branded the proposals as, “a cynical move to cash in on the Games at a time when the logistic sector is already under enormous pressure to keep London moving.”

Photo: John Mitchell, Managing Director of Pluscrates Ltd