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Supermarket delivery curfews are a key topic raised at the FTA summit this week.

The summit, to be addressed by transport minister Dr Stephen Ladyman, will mount a campaign against curfews. According to FTA figures four in ten supermarkets operate with a night curfew on deliveries.

"We think it is time these curfews are reconsidered by local authorities," says Geoff Dossetter, FTA external affairs director.

The association will argue that vehicles are much quieter now than  before and there are well documented methods for quiet night time deliveries. The association hopes the initiative will make local authorities review their position rather than automatically uphold curfews.

Supermarkets chains support the lifting of delivery restrictions. Morrisions confirms that it has applied to have delivery restrictions removed at its Felixstowe superstore, allowing deliveries 24 hours a day.

Asda tells Motor Transport it is working with the Department for Trade and Industry to trail the use of "much quieter" electric vehicles for some stores. Roughly 20% of its stores have delivery restrictions.

"Clearly it is easier and more efficient if we can operate through the night," Asda says.

But the Local Government Association says that curfews are "an important tool in managing the way that goods are delivered in balance with local authorities' other responsibilities. There is a strong case from local authorities' point of view  to retain the right to use curfews.

"Obviously it is in [authorities'] best interest to have a successful supermarket that functions properly, but they have to take other things into consideration," the association adds.