Heathrow Airport have revealed a one-of-kind tool to reduce trucks on roads local to the hub airport, in a bid to lower emissions.

The airport say their new 'WebPortal' aims to consolidate freight loads, as part of one of 10 priorities Heathrow has outlined for this year in its new Blueprint to Reduce Emissions, by encouraging freight company partners to operate sustainably.

This portal, along with measures such as providing an off-airport distribution centre, increased monitoring of the use of local roads by freight vehicles, and tighter rules on vehicle licensing will ensure the number of freight vehicles will be maintained at today’s levels for years to come, the aiport says.

Heathrow is the largest freight port by value in the UK, handling over 1.5 million tonnes of cargo a year, and has often come under criticism for the pollution associated with it .

The freight activity generates a substantive amount of vehicle movements a day in the Heathrow area for servicing, deliveries and cargo operations, along with their related emissions.

However, bosses are adamant that adding a third runway could go ahead without adding to emissions .

Heathrow’s proposed WebPortal would be the UK’s first geographically specific system of its kind.

Subscribed members would exchange and share information about any spare capacity on their vehicles. Once a match has been found, operators could then negotiate a price for this space amongst themselves.

'Cleaner, leaner and more efficient'

Nick Platts, head of cargo at Heathrow said: “Operating a cleaner, leaner and more efficient freight operation is an essential part of delivering on our ambition to be the best airport in Europe for cargo gateway in the world.

“This WebPortal can deliver for all - our cargo partners can reduce their costs, our local communities will experience less congestion and improved air quality, and Heathrow will build on its strength as an airport of choice for cargo.”

Heathrow say incorporating sustainability into freight is a priority for the airport given the impact these operations have on the airport’s local environment.

The plans for a freight WebPortal were announced during the IATA World Cargo Symposium, where Heathrow has been named a finalist in the Air Cargo Excellence Awards in recognition of its customer performance, facilities, and value of cargo offering.

By collaborating with stakeholders across London, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the airport have reduced by 16% over 5 years.

Heathrow’s Blueprint for Emissions Reduction outlines the top 10 actions the airport will be focusing on this year to continue building on this record and reduce emissions further.

Besides Heathrow’s work with freight operators, other actions listed in the Blueprint include a new £16.2 million investment in equipment at gates to ensure aircraft don’t run their engines, as well as instituting “eco-driving” training for airside drivers to reduce emissions.

Will the tool be enough for a third runway?

John Stewart, chair of Heathrow Association for the Control of Aircraft Noise (HACAN), has concerns for the future of the scheme if a third runway goes ahead.

He said: “This is an innovative scheme but questions must remain whether it is enough given the big increase in the amount of freight we will see passing through Heathrow if a third runway is built.

“Local people will still be apprehensive about what it may mean for their roads.”