Transport for London (TfL) and the London Bridge Working Group have created new vehicle holding areas on Great Dover Street and St Thomas Street to prevent illegal stopping around the Shard development

The holding areas will allow freight and construction vehicles to park and wait until they have clear access to the buildings or sites they need to enter.

Previously, vehicles servicing the Shard and other nearby developments had been illegally stopping and obstructing the roads while working in the area, TfL said. This was exacerbated when a number of vehicles were trying to access sites at the same time.

To ensure drivers are using the new facility, TfL’s officers have been carrying out regular visits to the sites, engaging with companies receiving deliveries, and moving on illegally parked vehicles to prevent unnecessary congestion in the area.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer of surface transport, said: “We are committed to any initiative that helps to ease congestion and create a safer environment for all road users. London’s boom in construction and population means we have to find new ways to accommodate the increasing numbers of freight and delivery vehicles. Areas such as around the Shard can become congested quite easily unless we do something straight away.

“The solution that was found – providing nearby space for vehicles to park up and wait – was fairly straight-forward and yet invaluably effective in addressing congestion and safety in the area.”

In addition to the new holding areas, further temporary improvements to address freight congestion and safety around the Shard area have included:

• Relocation of the taxi rank at Fielden House to the opposite side of the road, which predominately serves as a feeder to the rank opposite the Shard on St Thomas Street.
• Relocation of the pedestrian crossing to the east side of the site on St Thomas Street.  
• Additional red lines to prevent stopping in the street and suspension of the loading bay outside the Shard to discourage vehicles stopping.