Ikea to create instore minicab service at Greenwich – is it enough?
The new Ikea in Greenwich has seen a huge range of transport related questions since it was first proposed. Will traffic grind to a halt given roads are already very busy? What road changes will occur? Will walking links improve to nearby homes and stations?
The company has made a big play of the “sustainable” nature of this store. In reality it’s a big blue retail box with a few sparkles thrown on to tick some green boxes. An initiative just submitted for planning is an in-store minicab booth with eight spaces in the car park for cabs. Is that enough?
Cheetah Cars have been awarded the contract to operate the service. Customers will approach a desk and a cab called with normal rates apparently charged.
Much like Uber or Gett for black cabs but having to go to a desk first. It’s 2019 so I’m not exactly sure who would use this rather than their phone. This method sees customers receive a text message anyway. It doesn’t seem any great green solution.
There is no mention of hybrid or electric only cars. The only mention in planning documents is that drivers will be encouraged not to leave engines running whilst loading.
A small fleet of electric delivery vans or taxis housed in the building would have proven useful for local deliveries, particularly for the newer developments across the ways. That said, the John Harrison Way /Blackwall Lane Junction is not particularly healthy now, to say nothing of the additional furniture deliveries that will be taking place. Pedestrians are a non-factor as they have been for years (try pushing a baby buggy in safety from Starbucks to Primark in Charlton to get a glimpse)