Project EDWARD 17 October to 21 October 2022 Week of Action

POLICE Chiefs and Forces across the UK; along with Police and Crime Commissioners; are backing the week of action for Project EDWARD; Every Day Without A Road Death; which launches with its most ambitious week of events to promote good practice in road safety.

3 road trips will criss cross the country from Monday to Friday, visiting the very best examples of road safety projects across England and Wales. Along the way, some of the most influential thought leaders in road safety will be invited to come along for the ride and join the team to share their insights and experience; among them, numerous Police representatives.

Wednesday, 19 October 2022, is National Safe Speeds Day, and the National Roads Policing Operations and Intelligence and Investigation (NRPOII), the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime Commissions (APPC) have expressed their support.

Chief Constable Jo Shiner, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for roads policing says:- "I'm fully supportive of this year's National Safe Speeds Day on:- Wednesday, 19 October. Once again, I welcome the efforts by members of the Project EDWARD team to highlight the benefits for all road users of understanding and choosing speeds that are legal and safe. For a 24 hour period starting at:- 7, on:- Wednesday, 19 October 2002, Police Officers all over the UK will build on the excellent work they already do and focus their efforts even more to encourage compliance with speed limits, because we know lower speeds mean fewer road deaths. As well as delivering vital road safety benefits, lower driving speeds help to improve quality of life, especially in urban areas, as they reduce emissions, fuel consumption and noise. I urge you to ensure you always drive at speeds that are legal and safe, not because you might otherwise get caught, but because you recognise it as the right thing to do, remember that speed limits are just that, a limit not a target. By doing so we can all play a vital part in reducing unnecessary death and serious injury on our roads."

Katy Bourne, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners lead for road safety, says:- "Every 22 minutes someone is killed or seriously injured on UK roads. These figures are a stark reminder that more needs to be done to make our roads safer. I am determined to drive forward progressive and lasting change, by ensuring that Police have all the tools they need to understand how and why collisions occur and also educating the public on how they can protect themselves and others as road users. As the APCC National Lead for Road Safety, I am delighted to support Project EDWARD as it continues to raise the profile of road safety year on year."

Katy Bourne is involved in events in Brighton on:- Monday, 17 October 2022, on impairment and on vulnerable road users. Throughout the week, Police and PCCs are joining events in:- Telford, Merseyside, Durham Oxford, Rugby and Cardiff.

This year Project EDWARD is being delivered by Projects Zero Limited. Sponsors and partners are Nextbase UK; Westcotec; D.tec International; GEM Motoring Assist; HCC Solicitors; DriveTech, from the AA; Jenoptik Traffic Solutions; Webfleet; Bosch Mobility Solutions; StarTra: KIA; Gridserve; Driving for Better Business; National Highways

Full details of events, activity, resources, supporters and sponsors can be found on the Project EDWARD website and via:- #ProjectEDWARD on social media.

Yodel announces new northern depot following a year of record growth

FOLLOWING a record year of growth in which it secured its 1st profit, UK independent parcel carrier Yodel has announced plans to open a brand-new depot in Huyton. With the growth in e-commerce showing no signs of slowing, the 161,900 sq. ft centre will provide Yodel with further capacity, ensuring the business can continue to meet demands into the future.

This latest investment represents an ongoing commitment from Yodel to continue expanding nationwide operations, with the business expecting to handle over 200 million parcels in 2022. As well as looking to build on its parcel capacity, Yodel has invested in developing a specialism for handling delicate and irregular shaped parcels by installing the dedicated sortation system Merlin at its centres in Wednesbury and Shaw.

Working in close consultation with current employees, and local stakeholders, the Huyton depot, which is set to open ahead of summer 2023, will build on Yodel's existing presence in the Northwest, providing growth and employment opportunities for the region. The depot will also support clients with a higher capacity for parcel numbers and quicker delivery times.

The facility is being built by GMI Construction Group (GMI) to a Net Zero Carbon standard and as part of this will feature solar panels and EV charging points. The depot is also on target to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating for the success the construction has had in minimising pollution and protecting the surrounding habitat.

Sustainability is a key driver for Yodel, with CO2 per tonne per delivery down 40% over the last 5 years. All depots are now powered by renewable energy sources and the new site will also be an ambitious sustainability project.

Mike Hancox, Chief Executive Officer of Yodel, commented:- "This is a very exciting period for Yodel and the new depot in Huyton is an important step in expanding the business, ensuring that we can be more dynamic and fit for purpose. We are happy to be bringing employment to the Merseyside area and are looking forward to welcoming new colleagues into the team."

Lee Charnley, development consultant for Tritax Symmetry, commented:- "This letting to Yodel is the successful result of a huge, collaborative effort from both the public and private sector. Working closely with Knowsley Council and securing funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has enabled us to bring this disused site back into use and generate further investment and jobs for the area. In terms of the wider activity at Symmetry Park, Merseyside, a reserved matters application has been submitted for approximately 350,000 sq ft across two units which we'll be looking to deliver on site next year, focusing primarily on the spec unit of 230,000 sq ft."