THE company behind an initiative which has been credited with cutting HGV journeys into Southampton has won a contract to continue.

The Sustainable Distribution Centre (SDC) has been credited with cutting lorry movements by three-quarters among the organisations using it.

It was set up by 2012 and operator Meachers Global Logistics has had its contract renewed until 2023 by Southampton City Council.

The scheme involves reducing lorry movements by collecting goods destined for the same location and delivering them together.

It operates from a 20,000sqft site at Nursling Industrial Estate, with users including Southampton’s two universities, New Forest and Southampton councils and Southampton General Hospital.

Meachers says the scheme has consolidated 300 pallets of goods from five separate units across the city into one central location.

It says the initiative has reduced the number of HGVs travelling into Southampton City Centre on behalf of its users by 75 per cent, with the customers’ carbon footprint in the city cut by the same figure.

Gary Whittle, commercial director at Meachers Global Logistics, said: “Meachers Global Logistics has a proud Southampton heritage and we are committed to contributing towards an improved future for our city and region. We are using our industry experience, innovations in logistics technology, unique supply chain partnerships, and local understanding of the area to deliver consolidation solutions.

“Both the public and private sectors are recognising the benefits of smarter and sustainable logistics, and working with us to help achieve improvements for residents, businesses and the environment of the Southampton area.”

Cllr Steve Leggett, the council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our vision is to make Southampton a cleaner, greener, healthier and more sustainable city. Through our Green City Charter, we have identified that we need to work in partnership with stakeholders across the city to ensure that we are all minimising our impact on the local environment whilst continuing to support the city’s economic growth and prosperity.

“Working with Meachers Global Logistics to provide the Sustainable Distribution Centre is a great example of this. We are delighted to continue this relationship and to offer Southampton based businesses use of the Sustainable Distribution Centre.

There are numerous reasons for continuing the SDC service, primarily supporting our goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The reduction of vehicle movements through consolidation will help reduce air pollution and congestion on our roads at peak times. Businesses can benefit from several savings including time and costs.”

Meachers provides similar consolidation services for Carnival UK and the Solent alliance, a supply chain partnership between Meachers, Isle of Wight-based Steve Porter Transport and ferry operator Red Funnel.

The partnership is credited with reducing the number of vehicles travelling to the island by an average of 44 per day, cutting vehicle emissions by 16,290g a year.