Imperial's role in making construction traffic safer

CLOCS logo

Imperial College London has signed up to a construction industry organisation working for improved public protection by sharing roads safely.

Government and local authority action to improve air quality and promote active travel is resulting in more and more people travelling by foot and bike. Yet as construction activity increases so do the HGVs on our roads.

More than 28,00 pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists were injured in collisions with construction vehicles on Britain’s roads in the last five years, every number a real person with real injuries – traumatising the casualty, their family, the driver, and witnesses. 

Fortunately, Imperial College London has an enviable record of vehicle safety on our campus construction sites. We want to ensure that record continues as our estate continues to develop and undergo transformation – especially as our White City campus is a major development project. It is also our aim to ensure that the journeys to and from our sites are as safe as they can be.

At the vanguard

As a signatory to CLOCS – Constructions Logistics and Community Safety – Imperial College London has signed up to a set of standards which are the direct result of collaboration between the construction and fleet sectors to address shared issues.  It draws together evolving and applied best practice from various standards, policies, and codes of practice to provide one industry standard that can be implemented by regulators, clients, principal contractors, and fleet operators.

As a major construction client, with an annual spend of more than £100m, Imperial College London is able to exercise its duty of care on campus through risk-based assessment, and we are able to influence off-campus to our environs in the community.  Imperial College London’s support therefore adds value to this important movement.

The main aims are:

• ensuring the safest construction vehicle journeys
• zero collisions between construction vehicles and the community
• improved air quality and reduced emissions
• fewer vehicle journeys
• reduced reputational risk

There are specific standards for the main four CLOCS stakeholders: regulators, clients, principal contractors, fleet operators, deliberately creating a two-way flow of positive influence and information.

The CLOCS Standard is reviewed at minimum every two years and amended as necessary.

Taking action

Nick Roalfe, Director of Estates Operations, Imperial College London, said: “Imperial College London is committed to reducing risks associated with its construction activity.

"As a CLOCS Champion, we intend to use our influence with our supply chain to improve the management of our deliveries. We will also work closely with the local authorities and the local community and do whatever we can to reduce the levels of fatalities and serious injuries to vulnerable road users.

“In association with CLOCS and our supply team partners, the implementation of our agreed project plans will provide us with a road map for practical actions that addresses not only life changing road related incidents, but the impact on our community from the pollution caused by vehicle emissions.

“As active members of the community where our construction activities take place, Imperial College London recognises the role that it can play as a CLOCS Champion, to influence the changes necessary across the industry, that improve our performance on these issues.”

Derek Rees, Project Director of CLOCS, said: "I’m delighted Imperial College London has become a CLOCS Champion – sending a strong signal to its communities, supply chain and indeed every university that positive collaborative consistent action is needed to ensure construction logistics are ultra safe, clean and efficient. It demonstrates why Imperial College London is a member of the UK Construction Clients Leadership Group.”