Transport Minister Trudy Harrison yesterday told the Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference of £200 million in government funding to continue its zero-emission HGV trials. These are designed will help enable the logistics industry’s journey to decarbonisation, according to the business group. However, the right supporting infrastructure including … [Read more...]
M4 loved by over a quarter of truckers
Truckers love motorways. The lorry drivers who spend their working lives trundling up and down the M-ways actually confess to liking them and have rated their favourites for a Roadchef poll. The people who spend most time trucking on Britain’s main roads have spoken and claim that the M6 toll - a free flowing route around Birmingham - is the very best … [Read more...]
Wales snubbed by £20M HGV safety improvements
Wales will miss a share of a £20M investment the UK Government is making into improving roadside facilities for HGV drivers. A Welsh Government spokesperson said, “We are disappointed the £20m to improve lorry parking facilities will only be made available for England. We will continue to work with the UK Government to ensure the sector receives the support … [Read more...]
Unique skills courses aim to deliver for lorry drivers
Government-funded training courses called Skills Bootcamps are available through the Driver Academy Group, a consortium comprising business organisation Logistics UK, HGV training specialist HGVC, and workforce solutions group Manpower. With limited spaces available, the Driver Academy Group is calling on HGV drivers to apply now and is encouraging all … [Read more...]
Welsh economy committee backs logistics case
Following evidence provided by Logistics UK and other key industry representatives, the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee of the Welsh Senedd has published its recommendations to the Welsh Government to overcome the nation’s HGV driver shortage. Lobbyist Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK’s Policy Manager for Wales, said, “The Committee’s proactive and … [Read more...]
Government is sleepwalking into haulage hell
Business group Logistics UK has recognised the need for limited extension to road haulage cabotage – the system under which overseas hauliers can transport goods between two places in the UK after completing their initial journey. But as the organisation’s Head of Road Freight Regulation Policy, James Firth, explained, the extension will force more … [Read more...]
Driver shortages are just tip of logistics issues
Some 96% of UK logistics businesses are now reporting problems recruiting HGV drivers, according to results from Logistics UK’s September 2021 Performance Tracker. However, the Performance Tracker also highlighted that skills shortages are growing across the entire logistics industry, not just affecting the availability of HGV drivers. More than 13% of … [Read more...]
Transport sector is suffering effects of ‘long covid’ bureucracy
The government is under further pressure to alleviate Britain's lorry driver shortage. Groups have told Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng there's an impact on supply chains and want a review of plans not to grant temporary work visas to drivers from the EU, and better training as pressure builds towards the Christmas period. Ministers have … [Read more...]
Bid to ease driver shortage for HGVs
With more than 45,000 HGV driver tests outstanding at DVSA as a result of the COVID-19 lockdowns, Logistics UK is pressing government to introduce a seasonal visa for European HGV drivers to protect the nation’s supply chain while the organisation catches up with this backlog. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, understandably, all driving tests were suspended,” … [Read more...]
Vehicle numbers fall in UK – but vans increase
Vehicle numbers on UK roads fell to 40,350,714 in 2020, according to Motorparc figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the first time the total number has fallen since the global financial crisis of 2009. As the pandemic stifled new vehicle uptake, the average age of cars on UK roads is now the highest on record at 8.4 years. Van … [Read more...]
