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The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has hit out at several London boroughs who are changing the rules governing loading and unloading without consulting operators. The row surrounds the enforcement of the pre-11am/post-6.30pm unlimited kerbside access that operators have previously relied on to complete deliveries. It means that a vehicle can park on double yellow lines in order to complete a delivery without risk of a fine.

However, some boroughs, notably Kensington & Chelsea and Islington,  are now removing the unlimited access and are "miserably failing" to inform the industry, says the FTA. Both boroughs say they have advertised the changes in the local press, although it is questionable how many operators delivering into the boroughs are actually based there and will have seen the adverts.

The changes follow a meeting of London Council's (the body representing the 33 boroughs) Transport and Environment Committee in June that agreed to double kerbside loading times. It had originally proposed that the pre-11am rule be scrapped, arguing that increased traffic flows throughout the day had made it irrelevant. But this was ditched after lobbying from the trade associations.

Both Kensington & Chelsea and Islington say they think that all London boroughs will adopt London Councils' proposals at the same time. Kensington & Chelsea's order went live on 9 November, while Islington began a week later. Natalie Chapman, FTA regional policy manager for London,  says: "We are very concerned that different boroughs adopting different policies at different times will cause even more confusion to drivers." Kensington & Chelsea says it "hoped there would be some London-wide [announcement]". There is some good news: two boroughs - Westminster and Camden - are planning to keep unlimited kerbside access pre-11am/post-6.30pm.