Roadway Update 24 April 2019

Parliamentary group needs to hear from hauliers

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Road Freight and Logistics needs to hear how the skills shortage is affecting hauliers.

Firms are struggling to recruit staff as the industry faces a growing shortage of drivers, which the RHA believes stands at more than 55,000.

The APPG, chaired by the Rt Hon Sir Mike Penning MP, has called for evidence from operators as the Group aims to build a strong case to put pressure on the Government to reverse the trend.

Sir Mike Penning said: “We need to fully understand the problem for hauliers of every size and from across the country. Only when we have gathered this information can we go to Government with a firm set of recommendations and expectations.”

An online survey has been set up to gather haulier’s responses.

Learn more about the APPG on the RoadwayLive app.

ULEZ makes upgrades impossible

The RHA has warned that the £100-a-day charge imposed by London's ULEZ could make it impossible for haulage firms to upgrade to cleaner vehicles by wiping out their profits.

London's Ultra Low Emission Zone, now in effect, will see any pre-Euro VI truck entering the defined zone hit with a £100 fine.

While steps towards cleaning up the nation's air should be encouraged, the ULEZ will simply not work as intended.

As Richard Burnett, RHA chief executive, pointed out that "hauliers still running Euro V trucks are caught between a rock and a hard place.”

Read the full story on RoadwayLive.

Tom Cornwell on the driver shortage

Tom Cornwell, RHA Area Manager for the east of England, has spoken out on BBC Cambridge Radio about the dire skills shortage crippling the road haulage industry.

"We are currently short of around 55,000 drivers, but that number is rising. It’s only going to get worse."

Tom explained that there are a number of reasons behind the shortage.

It costs up to £5,000 to train as an HGV driver, so for most young people starting out in the world of work, being able to pay that money to become a lorry driver is out of reach.

You can read the full story on RoadwayLive.

Praise for hero truckers

Two truckers who used their lorries to shield a driver who had collapsed at the wheel while on the motorway have been praised by police, the public, and the RHA.

A driver rapidly became unwell and collapsed while on the M62, prompting two truckers to park up behind the stricken silver Kia to protect it from being struck by other vehicles.

A West Yorkshire Police Officer took to Twitter to warn other road users of the obstruction, and to praise the quick thinking of the two drivers who helped to protect the unwell driver.

Catch up with the full story on RoadwayLive.

Severn Crossing roadwork

Work to remove tolls from the M48 Severn Crossing continues.

Motorists are being advised to plan ahead as the next phase of work to create a 'free-flowing motorway' with a 70mph speed limit gets underway.

A diversion will be in operation for eight weeks as work to remove the toll plaza continues.

Drivers will be diverted off the M48 at junction 1 exit slip road and return to the route via the junction 1 entry slip road.

For full details of the works, check out RoadwayLive.

One week until the 2019 CV Show

The Commercial Vehicle Show is only a week away, but there’s still a chance to grab your free ticket.

Appearing at the NEC Birmingham from 30 April till 2 May, the show is a transport extravaganza.

With exhibitors showcasing the latest bleeding edge technology and services, there’s something for every business.

The RHA is proudly appearing at the CV Show once again, this year celebrating its 75th anniversary.

So register for your free ticket now and we’ll see you at the show.