The London Borough of Hounslow has launched a trial e-cargo bike delivery service in partnership with Sustrans. Initially focused on the Chiswick area, and delivering within a 2.5-mile radius, it will be a completely free service during the trial period.

The aim is to provide local businesses with a zero-carbon delivery option. Couriers will come to their premises to collect items and then deliver them in the local area.

The service will be available twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:30pm and 7.30pm. The council says that should demand increase, these hours may be extended.

An initial trial has already been run during September’s Chiswick Flower Market where 40 deliveries were carried out, with couriers covering 110km, saving 30kg of carbon dioxide.

The partnership with the flower market is set to continue.

Councillor Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council said: “This is a wonderful initiative that delivers on so many levels.

“To make our streets cleaner, healthier and safer for pedestrians and cyclists, we need to reduce the number of car trips being made and allow people space to socially distance while they shop.

“Using cargo bikes to do local deliveries is a great idea and offers local people great convenience when they are walking or cycling to the High Road.

“We would encourage local businesses to take advantage of this great new free service, especially in the run up to Christmas.  Hopefully it will prove to be very popular.”

The trial is being run in partnership with London Bike Hub and Our High Road. For more information and to take part see the Our High Road website.