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The team of cyclists who run Hereford Pedicabs taxi service, now have Pedicargo vehicles, which Herefordshire Council will be using throughout August and September to transport planning files requested by members of the public.

It will mean any member of the public contacting the council to request a planning file will be able to view the information the same day, as long as they call before 10.30am each weekday morning. 

On one of their routes Pedicargo vehicles will take planning files twice a day between the Modern Records Unit, the Hereford Centre at Garrick House and Planning Services at Blueschool House in Hereford. Planning officers in Blueschool House can also have files delivered the same day or can send current files for viewing at the Hereford Centre.

Will Vaughan and Ben Matthews, who run the Pedicargo business, are aiming to provide a sustainable, pedal powered, zero emission cargo service to businesses and the local authority in Herefordshire, which will operate under their core values of keeping things fun, green and honest.

Supported by Herefordshire Council's Integrated Transport Team, there are plans for the Pedicargo service to be extended to other businesses in Hereford. And the Pedicargo service is offering free trials for Hereford businesses during August and September.

With the backing of Herefordshire Council's sustainable transport team, the Pedicabs will also be advertising the council on their Pedicargo vehicles, which will have a secure container for transporting boxes of documents.

Pedicargo riders are able to haul up to a quarter of a ton on their specialist bikes. The cycle networks allow quick and efficient access to council buildings and many industrial estates, enabling them to bypass the problems of road congestion in Hereford.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said:
"In Hereford we have a good network of cycle routes and if the Pedicargo service can take advantage of some of these then it will not only make their journeys quicker but also be kinder to the environment.

"We will be looking at this trial carefully and hoping the service can then be extended to other council departments."

Although Herefordshire Council is trailling this scheme, it is hoped other Hereford-based companies will use the Pedicargo service which is not only a cost effective same day courier service but also helps the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Will Vaughan said:
"Not only can we do quick, efficient, same-day delivery, but we can reduce the cost to a business of sending a member of staff across town with a parcel, thus increasing productivity while providing an environmentally friendly way of transporting goods."