We launch our new report – Driving Forward – today (Monday 6 November) the steps to a successful sustainable future for road freight and coaches.
National Lorry Week 2023 saw us travelling the length and breadth of the country, talking to local and national politicians, Government officials and – most importantly – our members.
Our industry faces real challenges including rising vehicle and equipment prices, higher labour costs, a skills shortage, not enough facilities to support HGV and coach drivers in their work and a confusing patchwork of regulations that vary, town by town and city by city. And that’s before the red tape at border crossings, and the challenges of meeting net zero targets.
Driving Forward focuses on four key areas: vehicles, infrastructure, people, and regulation.
· Vehicles: Working with industry to successfully transition to net zero compliant HGVs and coaches
· Infrastructure: Providing adequate facilities and infrastructure for drivers across the UK
· People: Investing in the next generation of drivers and technicians
· Regulation: Ensuring proportionate taxation and standards
We have developed a series of policy recommendations which we believe will be effective in delivering the change the sector needs to see.
The attached report details our recommendations to Government. It gives details of the infrastructure needed to establish a national freight network, stresses the need for Government to support the next generation and creating the right regulatory environment.
All essential factors that must be taken into consideration if the transition to net zero is to be successful.
