A route can reach the right postcode and still leave the driver a long way from the goods. When booking a courier to an Exeter city-centre shop or office, check the final approach as carefully as the journey itself. A rear entrance, pedestrian area or restricted loading point can affect both vehicle choice and the timing of the handover.
Devon County Council’s traffic-order information links to tools for checking parking restrictions and loading bays. Use these alongside current signs and instructions from the premises. A historic traffic-order document or a navigation app should not be treated as confirmation that a particular vehicle can enter or stop at the time you want.
Ask the recipient for the delivery entrance, the nearest permitted loading point and any timed access arrangements. Where the business has a customer entrance on one street and goods access on another, provide both addresses with their purpose clearly labelled. A photograph is useful when a gate or doorway has no obvious sign.
Tell BHA how far the goods must travel from the vehicle. Include steps, lifts, door widths and changes of level. A boxed item that fits in a van may still need extra handling to reach an upstairs office. State whether delivery is to an accessible ground-floor point or whether room placement is required, and have that arrangement confirmed before booking.
For heavy or bulky goods, give packed dimensions and weight and describe the loading assistance available at each end. Do not assume a loading bay provides a forklift, or that a tail lift can be used safely at every stopping point. If the premises cannot explain the access, resolve that uncertainty before selecting the vehicle.
Give a named person and a direct number, together with the earliest and latest handover times. If reception closes for lunch, include that gap. Explain what should happen if access is temporarily blocked: the driver needs an agreed contact to authorise a revised plan, not an instruction to leave goods unattended.
Ask for the form of delivery confirmation you need. A receipt from a shared reception may differ from a handover to a particular employee. Agree the required recipient and evidence in advance, especially for valuable or time-sensitive items.
See Exeter courier services and light haulage options. Send both postcodes and the load details, including the access instructions and deadline. BHA will assess the proposed journey and confirm availability before accepting the booking.
Use Devon County Council’s traffic regulation order resources to investigate the relevant street. Restrictions and premises arrangements must be checked for the day of travel. Source checked 16 October 2026.
