The continued extension of delivery hours is vital to support the nation’s economic and societal recovery from the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA).

With ‘non-essential retail’ opening in the UK from 15 June 2020, and the government’s active travel plans coming to fruition, continued flexibility in delivery times will be essential to meet soaring demand for products while respecting social distancing rules, the association said.

Elizabeth de Jong, policy director at FTA, commented: “FTA campaigned successfully for delivery hours to be extended to strengthen the resilience of the supply chain during the pandemic; now, we are urging government to continue the relaxation as the nation emerges from lockdown to support economic and societal recovery from COVID-19. 

“With ‘non-essential retail’ units permitted to open next week, we expect to see demand for products increase significantly; continued flexible delivery hours will allow logistics businesses to stock shops safely and efficiently while keeping up with demand. And with government plans to reallocate road space to cyclist and walkers, extended delivery hours will be needed due to restricted access.

“Logistics remains vital to supporting the nation through the pandemic and rebuilding the economy; government must not restrict its ability to do so.”