Winchester City Council has announced that From Tuesday 7 October, work will begin at Friarsgate Car Park in Winchester on a new sustainable parcel delivery hub.
The initiative will be led by Solent Transport in partnership Winchester and Decarbon Logistics Solutions (a Volofleet Portfolio Company).
The hub is part of a 12-month trial to test whether switching from vans to electric cargo bikes for local deliveries can cut congestion on Winchester’s narrow streets, improve air quality in the city centre, and support the city’s ambitions for a greener future.
The lower deck of Friarsgate Car Park will be closed during the construction of the hub for approximately two weeks, but the upper deck will continue to operate as normal.
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Under the scheme, parcels will be delivered to the hub by vans, then transferred to electric cargo bikes for the final leg of their journey to homes and small businesses.
The hub will occupy just 14 parking spaces at Friarsgate Car Park while 58 public spaces will remain available for residents and visitors throughout the trial.
The facility will include secure storage and charging stations for up to 10 electric cargo bikes, unloading areas for delivery vans, and welfare facilities for staff.
Winchester City Council cabinet member for the climate and nature emergency, Kelsie Learney, said: “The parcel delivery hub project is an exciting step towards making our air less polluted and our roads less congested, while still ensuring residents and businesses can efficiently receive deliveries.
“Trialling better ways of moving goods in the City Centre is one of the ways in which we can go greener faster and help shape a healthier and more sustainable Winchester.”
Achievements and innovations in urban logistics will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
