ways2work News

Cash boost for electric van man

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The first vans eligible for the Government’s new Plug-in Van Grant, have been announced by Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Business Minister Mark Prisk today.

Van buyers will be able to receive 20% - up to £8,000 - off the cost of this first wave of 7 plug-in vans.

At an event today to launch the eligible vans, which was supported by companies such as British Gas and BT as well as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Justine Greening said:

“Our new grant demonstrates that you can be a motorist and still be pro-environment.

“Cars and vans are absolutely central to people’s lives – it’s how most of us get around and for many journeys they are, and will remain, the only practical and convenient travel choice. Nevertheless climate change is a global challenge we simply have to meet head on. It cannot be ignored or side-stepped.

“The new Plug-in Van Grant – offering up to £8,000 off one of these seven innovative vans – also makes business sense as it’s been estimated that a small electric van will typically cost £100 less in fuel for every thousand miles driven compared to a diesel equivalent.”

The way that vans are used and driven make them ideally suited to the switch to electric as they often have a predictable route and distance to travel each day; they make frequent stops; and many of them return to an overnight base where they can be easily recharged.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said:

"Vans are essential to the smooth running of so many businesses and contribute enormously to the UK economy. An upfront purchase grant, when combined with lower running costs and tax benefits, can make switching to an ultra low carbon van an attractive choice for those businesses.

“Now there are seven different models eligible for that support van buyers should be able to choose one they find easy on the eye as well as on the wallet.”

Businesses that run electric vans can benefit from reduced refuelling costs, are exempt from the van benefit charge, attract capital allowance concessions, and also receive a 100% discount for the congestion charge in the London.

The Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Paul Everitt said:

“The Plug-In Van Grant and today’s detail on the 7 models eligible is excellent news for van drivers, operators, businesses and the industry. The savings on the initial purchase price, coupled with the tax advantages and very low running costs make a plug-in van an attractive proposition – particularly for those running local and back-to-base services.

“Home to a high level of low carbon R&D and manufacturing activity, the UK is well placed to take full advantage of the ultra-low carbon vehicle sector. Incentives that support the development of a flourishing market will add to our competitive advantage.”

The first seven vans to be made eligible for the grants are;

· Azure Dynamics – Transit Connect Electric

· Daimler Mercedes-Benz – Vito E-Cell

· Faam – ECOMILE

· Faam – JOLLY 2000

· Mia-electric – Mia U

· Renault – Kangoo ZE variants Kangoo VAN ZE, Kangoo Van Maxi ZE, and Kangoo Van Maxi Crew ZE

· Smith Electric – Smith Edison variants SE2 and SE3

Gearoid Lane, Managing Director of British Gas New Markets, who have announced their ambition to have hundreds of electric vans in their fleets over the next few years, said:

“Extending electric car grants to cover fleet vehicles is a positive step in lowering emissions on our roads. With our network of engineers repairing boilers around the country we are keen to include electric vans in our own fleet, with 100s scheduled to be introduced over the next few years. We are also at the forefront of helping people with their own electric cars by installing charge points in homes up and down Britain.”

The eligible models are revealed on the same day a report is published by the Climate Group which shows the benefits low carbon vehicles can have if businesses adopt them into their fleets and provides companies with the advice and tools they need to make their good intentions a reality.

Ellen MacArthur, whose charity - the Ellen MacArthur Foundation - already uses an electric van, said:

“We’ve been running a Renault electric van to help with the work of my Foundation and it is working really well for us. Today’s announcement means people will have more choice about the kinds of vans that they can drive and I am pleased to support this initiative.”

The Transport Secretary also announced today that the Mia Electric (Mia and Mia L models) has become the eleventh vehicle now eligible for the Plug-in Car Grant - a consumer grant of up to £5,000.

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=423379&NewsAreaID=2

Cycling grants to help communities ride to the 2012 Games

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Twenty-six grants of up to £5,000 available for London-based cycling projects. Applications for funding open between 5 and 19 March.

"Londoners are taking to two wheels in their thousands" Mayor of London Boris Johnson

Twenty-six grants of up to £5,000 are available to groups and organisations across the Capital that have the passion to help others discover the joys of pedal power.

The grants are part of the Community Cycling Fund for London (CCFL), a scheme funded by Transport for London (TfL) and administered by the London Cycling Campaign (LCC) to help community groups set up cycling initiatives that benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.

The CCFL is one of a great many things the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is implementing as part of his cycling revolution, which includes funding and support for 13 Biking Boroughs, from TfL, to help realise the potential of cycling in Outer London.

This funding is being used to create better local cycling infrastructure, to engage local communities in cycling and to improve cycle safety, with the help of TfL expertise.

Each of the 13 Biking Boroughs has pledged to put cycling at the heart of their local delivery plans and to try to increase cycle journeys in their area.

The LCC is accepting grant applications from Monday 5 March until 17:00 on Monday 19 March 2012.

Application packs are available for download from www.lcc.org.uk from Friday 24 February.

Requests for grants are open to a broad range of groups including; schools, residents' associations, mental health charities and youth organisations.

The money may be used to provide cycle training, bike maintenance sessions, bike events, and other activities that encourage cycling and build the confidence of new and infrequent cyclists.

Geared towards the Games

Applications are also welcome from cycling projects which include activities geared towards the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Londoners are taking to two wheels in their thousands and key to that is helping them to enjoy the benefits of cycling and cycling safely.

'This funding provides massive support to budding cyclists in local communities, and helps to nurture the grass roots of cycling in our great city.'

Ben Plowden, Director of Planning for Surface at TfL, said: 'We have continued to improve cycle routes as well as public spaces to encourage more cycling in and around London.

'We are determined to help cyclists of all levels ride with confidence and that is why community groups with the knack to help others cycle, have our support.'

Last year, 6,741 adults and children from a wide variety of backgrounds took part in CCFL-funded cycle training, bike maintenance workshops, rides, events and cycling taster sessions.

Mags Reinig, Grants Officer at the LCC, said: 'The grants programme has proved time and again its potential to change people's travel behaviour.

'The majority of the 18,000 Londoners that the CCFL has reached since 2007 didn't cycle at all or very little before taking part in their local cycling project.

'The CCFL gave them the bike maintenance skills to look after a bike and the cycling skills to ride confidently on London's roads.'

The CCFL is part of the huge programme to promote safer cycling in London.

Cycling in the Capital

The Mayor and TfL are introducing a wide range of initiatives to help increase the number of people cycling in the Capital, including:

The creation of an easy-to-use cycle hire scheme which was a key pledge of the Mayor's manifesto. Barclays Cycle Hire is now transforming the way that people make short trips around central London
The extension of Barclays Cycle Hire beyond central London to include all of the Borough of Tower Hamlets as well as north Shoreditch in the Borough of Hackney, Camden Town, further areas of Southwark and Lambeth, and Westfield White City, by spring 2012
Commissioning an independent review of the construction, operations and driving of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) on the streets of the Capital to determine what actions need to be taken to make their operations safer
TfL is carrying out a thorough review of around 150 major junctions and planned schemes on TfL roads as well as all junctions on the existing Barclays Cycle Superhighways, to see if more needs to be done for cyclists in these locations
Pursuing further road safety campaigns to improve HGV drivers' awareness of cyclists and pedestrians and the responsibility of all road users to be alert and aware of their surroundings
Overseeing a record investment of more than £200m in cycling schemes, including the provision of cycle safety programmes, new cycle lanes, advance stop lines at traffic junctions across London and blind spot safety mirrors at key locations along Barclays Cycle Superhighways
Free or subsidised cycle training is available in most London boroughs
Announcing £4m funding, in February 2011, for Biking Boroughs to create cycle hubs and cycling communities in Outer London
Improving public spaces and making it easier for people on foot and bike to get about the Capital quickly, safely and conveniently

For more details on the CCFL application forms and for eligibility criteria, visit www.lcc.org.uk/community or email grants@lcc.org.uk.

Source: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/22902.aspx

Dust off your walking shoes - it's time for Walk to Work Week 14 - 18 may 2012

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Thousands of people each year take to their feet in this FREE and EXCITING event where workplaces compete to be the top walkers! Log your daily walking online, take fun photo challenges and share stories from your walks to climb up the leaderboard.

Three easy steps to get your workplace involved:

Step 1: Download a free toolkit here.

Step 2: Register your workplace here.

Step 3: Dust of your most comfy shoes ready for May!

Walk to Work Week is run by the national charity Living Streets who work with responsible organisations who wish to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable travel and the health and wellbeing of their people.

£15m boost for sustainable travel

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Transport Minister Norman Baker today announced £15m of new funding for sustainable travel projects across the country that will promote economic growth and cut carbon.

The investment is in addition to the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund announced in January 2011. This additional funding, heavily geared towards cycling, will support jobs, enhance access to employment and encourage greater use of more environmentally friendly transport.

Sustrans – the UK transport charity – will receive £8m for projects to enhance cycle routes across England. The remaining £7m will be allocated through the Cycle Rail Working Group – the body which brings together representatives of the rail industry and the cycling sector – to improve integration between cycle and rail at stations. Measures will include safer and more convenient cycle racks, additional cycle parking and storage, and better access for cyclists. This will complement the £7m that Network Rail is already spending in this area.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:

“This fund underlines the firm commitment of the Coalition Government to sustainable transport.

“If we are serious about reducing carbon, then we need to get more people walking and cycling. But we must do it in a way that boosts the economy.

“I want this fund to support projects that create growth and tackle climate change by cutting our carbon emissions.

“I look forward to seeing the projects put forward by Sustrans and the Cycle Rail Working Group and working with them to deliver transport that is greener, healthier and improves quality of life in our communities.”

Both organisations will now work up the specific projects they intend to fund. The successful projects will be announced in March.

Transport Statistics: Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: Provisional Estimates Q3 2011

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Department for Transport has today published the following Transport Statistics:

Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: Provisional Estimates Q3 2011, see

www.dft.gov.uk/statistics/releases/road-accidents-and-safety-quarterly-estimates-q3-2011/

for details.

£50m boost for sustainable transport

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

A £50 million fund will deliver real benefits for sustainable transport over the next four years said Transport Minister Keith Brown today.

The Minister was speaking as he met with pupils currently taking part in a Sustrans' I-bike project, one of a range of initiatives which will benefit from this funding, details of which he announced today.

Mr Brown said:

"This Scottish Government is committed to promoting sustainable and active travel. The Future Transport Fund provides opportunities to invest further in low-carbon transport, working with a range of delivery bodies across the country.

"One of our key priorities now is to create the conditions for change, and in Scotland at the current time that means a focus on sustainable economic growth. These investments will support that goal through the opportunities for Scottish businesses, as well as the wider benefits to society.

"Through this capital investment package totalling £11m over 2012/13 and 2013/14, Transport Scotland will take forward a range of sustainable transport initiatives, including cycling infrastructure, freight modal shift and low carbon vehicles, and reduce the impact of transport on our environment.

"While current budget constraints mean some projects will be delivered in the longer term, we are committed to increasing the funds available from Future Transport Fund over the next few years. This initial £11m provides a platform on which to build further developments in these different areas of sustainable transport."

John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans Scotland, said:

"We're delighted that the Minister has chosen to launch the Future Transport Fund at a school that Sustrans is working with to successfully increase the number of children walking and cycling to school. It's a strong endorsement of the role of active travel in the government's plans for delivering sustainable transport.

"Active travel schemes deliver a real return on investment and I hope the government will continue to fund such projects. Funding active travel initiatives, such as those within government's own Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, provide they key to low-cost solutions for dealing with Scotland's obesity crisis and meeting our ambitious carbon targets."

An announcement will be made early in 2013 about the allocation of an additional £18.75m in 2014/15 which will continue the development of these areas of low-carbon investment. The total budget available to the Fund will be £20.25m in 2015/16

These allocations will also draw in additional resources from local government and the UK government, as well as the private sector, enabling significant enhancement of the benefits it will bring.

Source: http://www.acttravelwise.org/news/2383

ways2work Newsletter - January 2012

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction Welcome to the latest edition of ways2work news. We hope you noticed the changes to the website and we certainly hope you like them. As previously announced, we’ve given more prominence to ways2work and added new sections to the website, including the new Members area. Read more...		Stay updated You can now join and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, or you can sign up to our RSS feeds to stay informed with the latest news, events and initiatives! To start following us, click the links below.
ways2work Award Launched BITC’s ways2work Award 2012 application process is now open for companies. The aim of the ways2work Award is to identify inspiring examples of sustainable commuting and business travel, as well as sustainable working and alternatives to travel, such as flexible and agile working. These inspiring stories can then be used to encourage and support other companies to take action. Read more...		ways2work Conference: February 9th Thursday 9 February 2012 at Microsoft, Cardinal Place, 80-100 Victoria Street, London. Is your business prepared for the new wave of travel disruptions caused by severe weather? Another Eyjafjallajökull? Three million additional journeys in London on the busiest day of the London 2012 Games? Join us at this free conference, supported by Microsoft, bringing together some of the leading UK companies to share what they are doing to increase their resilience to these and similar events. Read more...
Mayday webinar on alternatives to travel Tuesday 24 January 2012 15:00 - 16:00 This webinar is a part of the campaign and will present the case for Anywhere Working, by demonstrating true benefits achieved by different organisations. So join us and find out how you can work anywhere! Read more...		Anywhere Working Consortium launches online portal On 16th January The Anywhere Working Consortium today unveiled an online portal www.anywhereworking.org that will help UK organisations adopt more flexible working practices. The portal will serve as a resource for employers and employees alike, offering training, guidance, case studies and product offers from the consortium Read more...
News from the Prince’s Mayday Network CR Foundations course: 20 March Three Environmental Sustainability awards launched, including ways2work Mayday Webinar: Tenants, landlords and the CRC – how to work together: 21 February Read more...		Campaign for Better Tyres The Campaign for Better Tyres was established last year in order to draw attention to the new tyre labels which will be mandatory from November and to encourage people to choose safer, more energy efficient and quieter tyres. Read more...

Green grant to cut the cost of electric vans by £8000

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Government’s green car grant is being extended to light electric commercial vehicles – cutting the price of eligible vans by up to £8000, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced today.

Transport Minister Norman Baker and Business Minister Mark Prisk also confirmed the Government’s Plug-in Car Grant, launched last year, has secured funding until 2015. Lower than expected sales of electric and hybrid cars, last year, had led to speculation the grant might be scrapped this year.

Plug-in Van Grant

The Plug-In Car Grant offers 25 per cent, or up to £5000, to motorists buying a new green car. Under the Plug-in Van Grant, van buyers will now receive 20 per cent, or up to £8000, off the cost of an eligible vehicle. The DfT said manufacturers that wanted to be part of the scheme could apply from today.

"Car buyers have had a year to take advantage of our grant and now it’s time for van buyers to get their chance to go electric," said Baker. "This is great news for businesses given the lower running costs of these vehicles – fleet buyers tell us that this is one of the most important factor influencing their decision on what to buy."

"Supporting ultra-low carbon technology in vans makes sense. An upfront purchase grant, when combined with lower running costs and tax benefits, can make switching to an ultra-low carbon van an attractive choice for businesses," added Prisk. "The technology also fits well with a large portion of the van market that rely on short urban trips to and from base."

The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT), which has been lobbying the DfT to extend the Plug-in Car Grant to electric commercial vehicles, welcomed today’s announcement.

"The Plug-In Car Grant and the new Plug-In Van Grant send a strong signal to the global automotive industry about the UK’s determination to be a leading market for ultra-low carbon vehicles," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "We will reap significant industrial and environmental benefits from establishing an early and flourishing ultra-low carbon vehicle market, attracting high value investment in R&D, innovation and automotive manufacturing."

Eligibility criteria
Only vans that meet strict criteria on range, tailpipe emissions and safety will be able to apply for the Plug-in Van Grant. Eligible vans will have to show they emit less than 75 grammes of CO2 per kilometre, are capable of at least 60 miles between charges (10 miles in electric mode for hybrid vans), can do speeds of more than 50 mile per hour, and – to ensure safety – be approved by 'European Vehicle Type Approval’.

There are currently 10 cars eligible for the Plug-In Car Grant, including the Nissan LEAF and the Vauxhall Ampera. By the end of the last year over 1000 eligible vehicles had registered for the grant.

Sales of electric commercial vehicles are still much lower than for electric cars, however, because most are still being trialled and are in limited production, but more are expected to launch onto the market this year, including the Renault Kangoo.

The DfT said manufacturers could apply to be part of the Plug-in Van Grant up to January 31. It expects to confirm shortly afterwards the first vans to join the scheme.

Source: http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/green-grant-to-cut-the-cost-of-electric-vans-by-8000-2971.aspx

Anywhere Working Consortium launches online portal

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Government-backed consortium launches website to help businesses

adopt flexible working practices

LONDON, UK – 16^th January, 2012 – The Anywhere Working Consortium today unveiled an online portal (www.anywhereworking.org) that will help UK organisations adopt more flexible working practices. The portal will serve as a resource for employers and employees alike, offering training, guidance, case studies and product offers from the consortium, whose members include Business in the Community (BITC), Microsoft, Nokia, Nuffield, Regus and Vodafone UK. The initiative is supported by the Department for Transport (DfT), Transport for London (TfL) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC).

The online portal is the first step by the consortium in delivering tools and advice that will help British organisations understand the benefits of flexible working. Through its efforts, the consortium will drive awareness in the build up to Anywhere Working Week, commencing 27^th February, 2012. During this week, the consortium will provide additional guidance to organisations seeking to learn more about flexible working, as well as celebrate those that have actively supported the initiative.

The Anywhere Working Consortium was unveiled in November 2011 by Transport Minister, Norman Baker MP. Its purpose is to help organisations drive greater productivity and efficiency, reduce employee stress and absenteeism, lower carbon emissions from travelling and compete in an economically challenging environment. The initiative aims to secure 30,000 supporters of this new way of working, with a total audience reach of 300,000.

The Anywhere Working portal has been created to provide employers and employees with guidance on how to work smarter, including the promotion of alternatives to travel. Organisations can also measure how time, money and carbon energy they can save by working more flexibly by entering information into the portal’s Savings Calculator.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: “It’s simply not necessary for us to always trudge to and from meetings when modern technology allows you to circumnavigate the globe virtually from the comfort of your front room, local coffee shop or when you’re on the move. Working flexibly by using video conferences, webinars or cloud computing can help increase productivity as well as employee wellbeing, not to mention dramatically reducing our carbon footprint. This interactive portal can help businesses reap these rewards.”

“It’s no longer viable for businesses to stick to rigid, inefficient ways of working if they want to compete successfully in the market,” said Gordon Frazer, Managing Director at Microsoft UK. “We’ve already received fantastic feedback from people who want to learn how to work in a more dynamic and collaborative environment, anytime, anywhere. We encourage businesses to get involved as we continue to build up to the Anywhere Working Week starting on 27^th February.”

Business in the Community Chief Executive Stephen Howard commented: “Business in the Community encourages its members as responsible businesses to reduce the amount of carbon generated by business travel as well as offering flexible working practices. Commuting accounts for around a fifth of all miles travelled to say nothing of the time lost to business and the impact on employees’ quality of life and work life balance. Supporting Anywhere Working is a way that responsible employers can save money and carbon and support their workforce.”

Peter Kelly, Director of Enterprise from Vodafone UK, commented: “Finding better ways of working can support businesses to be more agile, flexible and responsive and find a real competitive edge. Where work is done isn’t nearly as important as how efficiently and effectively it’s done. Empowering people to work from anywhere, anytime, rather than tying them to a fixed location is win-win for both employers and employees. In fact, our research shows that seven out of ten managers think the idea of the 9 to 5 work day is disappearing in favour of more flexible working practices. We encourage businesses and employees to use the Anywhere Working online portal to discover the opportunities that exist through changing the way they work.”

Free London 2012 support package for freight operators and their customers

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

More than 200 free Transport for London (TfL) workshops, both inside and outside the Capital, to help hauliers and their customers in transport 'hot spots' keep running smoothly during the Games.

Guidance and support offered to London's major wholesale markets. Team of advisors to visit retailers, pubs and restaurants in transport 'hot spot' areas to offer face-to-face advice.

A widespread support package to help freight operators and their customers continue to operate effectively during the London 2012 Games was announced today by TfL.

At the centre of the package, known as TfL's Freight Advice Programme, are 230 free workshops aimed at businesses in Games transport 'hot spot' areas which receive freight deliveries, and those companies that deliver to them.

The free workshops, which aim to attract businesses from across all sectors and will help them to plan and prepare, start on 30 January and run until the end of April.

Around 160 sessions will be held in London and 70 will be held outside the Capital, in cities including Manchester, Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton which have a significant concentration of businesses supplying London.

Other areas which also generate a large number of freight movements into and out of the Capital will also be targeted, including Slough, Northampton, Chelmsford and Milton Keynes.

To apply for a free workshop place, businesses should visit tfl.gov.uk/2012 where there is a full list of workshop dates, times and locations.

As part of the Freight Advice Programme, TfL is also offering free guidance and support to London's major wholesale markets: New Spitalfields, New Covent Garden, Billingsgate, Smithfield, and Western International - with Borough Market also receiving advice.

Starting this month, each market will be assigned an advisor who will ensure that tenants, customers and suppliers are aware of the transport challenges of the Games and are given support to put the necessary plans in place to help them continue to run smoothly during the summer.

Transport challenges

In addition, a team of advisors will visit small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) including retailers, pubs and restaurants in Games transport 'hot spot' areas - such as Whitehall and St James' in central London and Stratford Town Centre - to offer them face-to-face support.

London's Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: 'Ensuring that London's supermarkets, restaurants and pubs remain stocked this summer will be critical to the overall success of the London 2012 Games.

'Businesses based in transport 'hot spot' areas that make or receive freight deliveries need to start planning now to ensure they continue to operate effectively - and profitably - next summer.

'Our new programme of workshops and tailored advice for freight operators and their customers greatly enhances the support package already on offer to help businesses of all sizes stay one step ahead during the Games.

'I'd like to urge all businesses in affected areas, and the freight companies that deliver to them, to take advantage of the hundreds of free workshops starting this month and log on to tfl.gov.uk/2012 to book a place.'

Sarah Bell, lead Traffic Commissioner for Olympic Delivery, said: 'The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain are delighted that TfL are offering these seminars and urge operators to take advantage of the opportunity to assist their preparation and planning for the commercial opportunities that the Games will bring.

'The very experienced TfL freight team have worked closely with Traffic Commissioners, the trade associations and other partners to produce a wealth of information in a user-friendly format.

'The seminars will offer a practical insight into how best to use that information and ask questions directly relevant to particular business sectors.'

Practical advice

Natalie Chapman, the Freight Transport Association's Head of Policy for London, said: 'It is critical that the supply chain is fully prepared for the massive challenges it faces when the largest event in the world hits the Capital next summer.

'These free workshops will supplement existing guidance to arm operators with the advice and information they need to deliver a successful Games for London.'

Kate Gibbs at the Road Haulage Association said: 'We welcome this move by TfL to help haulage operators at such a critical time and we shall certainly be urging our members to take advantage of the practical advice and information available.

'An effective, cost effective and efficient transport network is crucial to the success of the Games; this initiative will ensure that operators are fully prepared.'

Greg Lawrence, Chairman of The Smithfield Market Tenants' Association, said: 'The London 2012 Games present a big challenge for Smithfield Market but, as the largest wholesale meat and poultry market in the UK, we are committed to working closely with TfL and others to ensure that traders can continue to provide the finest products to a wide range of customers across the Capital and beyond.

'It is clear that certain adjustments and a degree of flexibility will be needed to achieve this but we are confident that by starting to plan for the Games period now we will be well placed to continue to provide the excellent service that we pride ourselves on.'

Helen Evans, Head of Business Support at New Covent Garden Market, said: 'As the largest fruit, vegetable and flower market in the UK, we recognise that the London 2012 Games will offer unrivalled opportunities but there will also be significant challenges for the many small and medium sized businesses that trade from our site.

'TfL has been very proactive in contacting us with tailored, site-specific advice to ensure we are prepared for the transport challenges that the Games will present and can continue to supply London's leading chefs, florists, restaurants, hotels and hospitals with first class food and flowers throughout what will be a very busy summer.'

Source: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/22238.aspx