Shortened

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

The Bottom Line

Factual: Money

Evan Davis hosts the business conversation show with insights from the people at the top.

BBC Radio 4 LW

The Bottom Line: The Last Mile

The Last Mile

BBC Radio 4 - The Bottom Line, The Last Mile

The journey is expensive and fiddly. How are goods and services delivered to our homes?

We take free delivery of goods and services to our homes for granted. But the last mile of the journey is expensive and fiddly for logistics firms. Will drones and robots help?

The package brought to your door may have crossed the globe - but the most expensive and fiddly bit of the journey will undoubtedly be what's known as 'the last mile'. Delivery firms are constantly innovating how they do this - using electric vehicles and e cargo bikes, robots, or offering customers a click and collect option at a local store of their choice. Consumers take it for granted that they will get free delivery in many cases.  But is the whole 'last mile' industry sustainable? Delivery vans add to traffic congestion and consumers are ordering more than they need and returning unwanted goods for free.  

Evan Davis and guests discuss the latest trends in the logistical puzzle of 'the last mile.'  

Guests

Jon Ormond Operations Director of Hubs and Depots at parcel carrier, Hermes. 
Nick Hale, Managing Director of BT Ventures. 
and Catherine Weetman, founder of Re-think solutions.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Bottom Line

The Last Mile

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4