HGV DRIVERS are being driven from the industry by rigid working conditions, red tape, poor facilities, and easier job prospects elsewhere.

The SF has been told that Brexit and a lack of foreign workers can’t be solely blamed for the rise in driver shortages and that an overhaul of the sector is needed in order to attract and retain a future workforce.

Managing Director of Annandale Transport Co Ltd in Dumfries and Galloway, David Hyslop, claimed that there are so many rules and regulations in place which are turning people away from the industry.

“The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is constantly breathing down the necks of drivers," said Mr Hyslop. "There is no flexibility and any slight deviation from driving limits can result in an instant fine in excess of £100, irrespective of the circumstances.

“There is a total lack of joined up thinking between the authorities and the industry, and the public have absolutely no idea of the challenges threatening logistics in the country,” he stressed. “I would say there is a 20% shortage of workers right now across the board.

“People don’t want to work weekends or outside the 9 to 5, but the food chain operates seven days a week.

“People don’t realise that supermarkets, dairy farms, abattoirs etc all need drivers to transport produce to and fro. These supply chains will come to a halt without drivers.”

He added that he lost four drivers in the last month and said it was due to poor conditions at service stations: “Facilities in this country are disgusting. It makes drivers feel devalued and they are sick of it. Things need to improve and for the government to recognise how important drivers are if there is to be a future in the industry to speak of in five years’ time.”

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WM Armstrong is one of the largest livestock hauliers in Scotland and Managing Director, Jennifer Whyberd added that the labour pool has depleted due to European drivers returning home, IR35 tax implications and the surge in home deliveries over the past year and increased competition to find drivers.

“During the pandemic everyone started to turn online for their groceries and garden furniture amongst other items, and this has added pressure to an already diminishing labour pool,” she explained. “Drivers are seeing opportunities to operate smaller vans with less restrictions and are turning away from HGV’s.

“With more jobs to fill, drivers are able to move around which is leading to inflation of wages, haulage companies are having to pay more, and this is going to be felt further down the line to consumers too.”

Armstrong’s employs 200 drivers and Jennifer Whyberd said “driver’s wages have increased in recent times and a driver can pick and choose the work and shift pattern to suit their circumstances. Pay rates vary around the country with drivers earning £30-£40,000 a year. It’s a well-paid job today and its up to employers to look after their drivers and work with the RHA to ensure proper facilities and secure parking are available out there on the road, and ensure that our drivers are recognised as the key workers they are.

“There needs to be more flexibility in the industry, it is not the length of the hours but the flexibility which goes with them. We need to create a more family friendly industry which will also attract women and open up a whole new drivers pool.”

Alex McDonald was a self-employed lorry driver with 40 years in the trade but quit last year, citing low pay and poor conditions: “It is a load of rubbish to say there are no drivers, there are plenty of certified drivers, just not enough willing to do the work for low rates.

“The service stations closed during the pandemic and HGV drivers had no facilities available to them on the road. Even before the pandemic the services were shocking. I have friends driving lorries in Germany and France who say the services are like four-star hotels because they value the role they play in keeping our supply chains moving. This country doesn’t deserve decent drivers because they don’t treat them right.”