Video showcases how smarter kerbside management is transforming urban streets for businesses, residents, and communities.
Grid Smarter Cities has released a new video featuring Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste (2024-2026), making the case for bookable loading bays, an innovative approach to kerbside management that is helping cities reclaim street space for people.
The video, produced by Grid Smarter Cities, highlights how Southwark Council’s Streets for People strategy is reshaping the way urban street space is allocated and used, with bookable loading bays playing a key part in that vision.
Streets Designed for People, Not Cars
In the video, Cllr McAsh explains how the Streets for People strategy seeks to reclaim road space from private motor vehicles and redirect it towards walking, cycling, public transport, and community activity. Bookable loading bays are a practical tool in delivering that ambition, allowing the Council to manage high-demand kerbside space more efficiently in some of London’s busiest areas.
Cutting Congestion, Supporting Business
A central message of the video is the challenge that businesses in dense urban areas face when trying to secure reliable delivery slots. Without guaranteed spaces, freight vehicles are forced to circle neighbourhoods looking for somewhere to stop, adding to congestion and worsening air quality. Bookable loading bays address this directly: when a business schedules a delivery, a space is reserved and waiting.
The councillor describes the scheme as a win-win, giving businesses the certainty they need while freeing up kerbside space for a wider range of community uses, from parklets and benches to pedestrian crossings and outdoor seating.
A Model for Cities Across the UK
The video is a call to action for local authorities, particularly in urban areas, to explore bookable loading bays as part of their transport and planning strategies. As the councillor puts it, the scheme delivers clear benefits for councils, businesses, and residents alike, and smarter kerbside management is an essential step toward cleaner, less congested city streets.
“So bookable loading bays really are a win win situation, and I’d encourage any local authority to look into them, particularly those in cities.” – Cllr James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste (2024-2026)
How to Start Using the Bays
The bays are live and bookable by delivery operators in the area who register in advance. There are no charges to use the bays and bookings can be made throughout 24 hours of the day. To sign up and start using the bays please register using this link or email us at southwarkkerb@gridsmartercities.com
Notes on the scheme:
- 5 bookable bays with adjunct loading options (virtual bays) with 4 double-sided signs
- 2 bays on the North side of the street and 3 bays on the South side of the street
- 0-15, 15-30, 30-45, 30-60, minute booking loading slots (longer than usual 20 minutes, bookings on the platform can be made in 15-minute increments)
- There are no charges to use the bays at any time of day
- One bespoke parking bay sized to meet the length and width requirements of a HGV freight vehicle is available on the North side of the road (to enable servicing to the nearby supermarket)
- The bays can still be used for 24hrs a day, enabling freight operators to deliver to local businesses with greater flexibility and certainty
About Grid Smarter Cities:
We specialise in building sustainable digital products that enable the smarter management of kerbside and freight logistics. Our knowledge of the ecosystem at the kerbside enables us to work with clients such as local authorities and operators to solve their challenges and with a tech solution at the kerbside.
