DARCICA LOGISTICS TURNS DELIVERIES GREEN IN OXFORD

Bicester-based Darcica Logistics has launched zero-emission sustainable deliveries and collections in Oxford, after taking delivery of its first fully electric 3.5-tonne truck.

With Oxford’s zero emission zone set to expand further, companies wanting to deliver goods through the pallet network into the city centre can meet the city council’s ZEZ requirements through Darcica.

The co-branded 3.5T electric truck – a Maxus Luton edeliver 9 with a 900kg tail-lift – is the first EV in Oxfordshire to deliver pallets.

Darcica has been committed to reducing emissions, waste, water and energy since the family business launched in 2020, and the new vehicle is the pride of its fleet.

It has already replaced its diesel vans with electric vans, and uses electric forklift trucks at its depot.

Darcica owner, Anthony Tattersall said: “The logistics transportation industry has one of the biggest impacts on the environment, and we want to lead the way in reducing its carbon output. We estimate the truck will save 5.71 tonne of CO2 a year and means we can continue to service customers in the ZEZ with sustainable deliveries via our fully electric fleet.”

The company is part of Palletways UK’s express palletised freight network. Warwick Trimble, UK Network Director for Palletways, said: “Darcica sets an excellent example to the haulage industry at a time when it’s never been more important to make journeys more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Government revives Oxford-Cambridge Arc ambitions

Secretary of State Michael Gove has confirmed his support to set up an Oxford to Cambridge Pan Regional Partnership.

It’s the latest chapter in the long-running story of the Oxford-Cambridge Arc.

The revival of government support for region’s ambitions to unleash the vast economic and cultural potential of the region which encompasses Oxford and Cambridge could unlock up to £2.5 million government funding to delivering sustainable growth across the area.

The Oxford-Cambridge Arc describes the cluster of high-tech, life sciences, research institutions and universities across the region.

Michael Gove’s endorsement follows a proposal submitted to government by leaders from local councils, local enterprise partnerships, the Arc Universities Group and the area’s transport body, England’s Economic Heartland.

It’s been a rocky road for the project. In 2021, the government set out its plans to establish an Arc Growth Body.

The spatial framework plan, it said at the time, would help to create thousands of jobs, drive investment into the region which spanned the five counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

With the right interventions and investment, local economic forecasts suggested that by 2050 the region could see economic output doubling to more than £200 billion, says the plan.

But last year the government appeared to have quietly dropped its plans.

It’s latest about-turn will support the Partnership in championing the region as a world leader of innovation and business, acting to achieve environmentally sustainable growth. It aims to strengthen cross-boundary collaboration.

The Partnership will develop a set of propositions aimed at attracting international investment and profiling the region globally.

Following o cial commitment from government, active recruitment of an independent Chair will begin. In the interim, a Shadow Board has been set up to oversee the Partnership’s programme and agree governance and funding.

Chair of the Shadow Board, Cherwell District Councillor Barry Wood said: “We believe that by working together the whole Oxford to Cambridge region can be greater than the sum of its parts. With o cial status as a Pan-Regional Partnership backed by government, we can unlock potential and further strengthen our area’s position as a hub of innovation; a globally recognised region of science and technology that delivers prosperity for our communities. It will enable us to better achieve inclusive and sustainable outcomes for residents, business and the environment.”