District at heart of innovative new home deliveries project

The Covid-19 pandemic means we rely on online deliveries more than we have ever done before.

The Cabinet Office’s Geospatial Commission has chosen the district to be at the heart of its research into an innovative scheme aimed at dramatically reducing the pollution by delivery vans and cars going door to door to drop off parcels.

The team behind the idea, Iconic Blockchain, think a fleet of electric vans and electrically-powered bicycles designed for couriers (known as e-cargo bikes) picking up and delivering parcels from a single hub in each town could be far more efficient.

Cutting-edge technology would allow the parcels to be tracked in a secure and auditable way.

Council Leader Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding said: “The district may be steeped in heritage and history but it has never shied away from embracing new ideas and technology to make life for everyone much simpler and less polluting. Being at the heart of this project puts us in pole position should the research prove such a scheme will be a success.

“We are determined to be at the forefront of the digital revolution and take every opportunity it brings for the district and those that live, work and study in it.”

For more information on the scheme, see the Geospatial Commission’s press release.

Published: 15 January 2021