Ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8 March, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on Emily Hughes, a Colchester resident who is helping to change the way goods are delivered across our city – and inspiring more women to consider careers in sustainable transport.
A day in the life of an eCargo rider
Emily works as a commercial rider for Colchester eCargo, where she pilots an electric cargo bike to make zero‑emission deliveries for local businesses. She is currently the only woman working in this role locally, and her day‑to‑day work shows how sustainable transport can be practical and work around everyday family life.
After dropping her son off at school, Emily often completes more than 30 deliveries a day, travelling across Colchester using Colchester eCargo’s fleet of modern electric cargo bikes. For her, the role combines staying active, working outdoors and knowing she’s making a visible difference to the city she lives in.
Inspiring more women into green jobs
“Women absolutely can do this job,” says Emily. “It’s empowering, it’s active, and it makes a real difference. I’d love to see more women consider roles like this – it’s a great way to be part of a greener future for our city.”
Supporting cleaner, greener deliveries
Supporting projects like Colchester eCargo is part of how Colchester City Council is responding to the climate emergency and working to reduce emissions from transport. We’re supporting innovative, low‑emission delivery solutions that show there are real alternatives to diesel and petrol vans on our streets – solutions that work for businesses and benefit residents through cleaner air and quieter roads.
As part of this work, a new delivery app, GoCargo, has now been launched to help manage and coordinate zero‑emission deliveries across Colchester. If you live in Colchester, you can use the service to arrange collections and home deliveries yourself – for example, having shopping, parcels or bulky items picked up from local shops and delivered to your door by electric cargo bike instead of a car or van. Sponsored by Colchester City Council and developed in partnership with Colchester eCargo, the GoCargo app helps reduce traffic, improve air quality and make everyday deliveries more convenient for you and your neighbourhood.
You can find out more and book a delivery at www.ecargobikecolchester.com
Colchester eCargo Managing Director Lee Pugh added: “Emily is a highly valued member of the Colchester eCargo team and a real pleasure to work with. She brings professionalism, positivity and determination to everything she does, and she’s a great example of the kind of people who make this sector thrive. At Colchester eCargo, inclusion is central to how we work, and we’re committed to creating opportunities for people from all backgrounds in sustainable urban logistics. I’d love to see more women consider roles like this – and Emily shows just how much is possible.”
Cllr Luxford Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Sustainable Development, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Colchester eCargo on the development of a Defra‑funded logistics management app that supports cleaner, more sustainable deliveries across the city. Projects like this, alongside inspiring people like Emily, show how Colchester is finding practical, positive ways to do things differently. I hope her story encourages more women to consider careers in sustainable transport and to see themselves as part of Colchester’s sustainable future.”
Celebrating International Women’s Day in Colchester
International Women’s Day is a chance to celebrate women who are breaking barriers and driving change. Emily’s story shows how tackling climate change, supporting local jobs and creating new opportunities can go hand in hand – right here in Colchester.