HGV DRIVERS will benefit from better roadside facilities, backed by up to £100 million investment from industry and government, announced on 24 November 2022, revealed Vikki Woodfine, a partner at DWF, the global provider of integrated legal and business services.
“This is welcome news. Whilst Brexit undoubtedly had an impact on driver numbers in the UK, the clear and strong feedback we continually get from hauliers is that driver conditions have been a significant cause of drivers leaving the industry,” she said.
“Despite feedback that record numbers of new drivers are taking and passing their test to enter the industry, the overall driver shortage shows little signs of improvement.
“In recent years we have seen the government make changes to drivers’ hours and testing regimes to try to get more drivers on the road, but the longer term answer has always been to improve driver conditions to make the profession more appealing to a wider audience.
“Until drivers in the UK are afforded the same treatment up and down the country in service stations and at client sites such as RDCs as their foreign counterparts enjoy, the profession will continue to struggle to attract and retain drivers.”
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