Cardiff, Wales: A committee of the Welsh Senedd has published a list of recommendations, addressed to the Welsh government, to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis.
The report by the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee of the Welsh Senedd warned that poor toilet facilities and even threats of violence were just some of the reasons HGV drivers are quitting the industry.
The report’s recommendations include:
• Developing HGV drivers Apprenticeship programmes
• Engaging the UK Government around the content and quality of HGV drivers’ continuous professional development training
• Carrying out an audit of rest facilities for drivers and create a national inventory similar to that available for England
• Improving HGV driver rest provision in areas where it is found to be lacking
• Introducing a voluntary standards system which indicates to drivers the comfort level and security of rest stops
• Updating planning policy so that planning permissions granted to warehouse facilities and other developments expecting regular deliveries are required to provide high quality driver facilities
• Engaging with the UK Government on any review of legislation which affects the working conditions of HGV drivers
• Haulage companies should ensure their drivers feel the hours they are asked to drive are safe
Paul Davies MS, chair of the Senedd’s Economy Committee said: “It’s quite clear that HGV drivers play an essential role in the supply chains that support almost every aspect of modern life. Last year we saw what happens when a shortage of HGV drivers causes these supply chains to breakdown – some empty shelves, some closed petrol stations, and some disrupted services.
“Behind the shortages are real people, working very hard to keep the Welsh economy moving and keeping us fed during extremely challenging times. Our inquiry has heard some distressing stories of the conditions that HGV drivers are facing on a daily basis.
“If we do not address the issues then there is little hope for us to recruit new drivers, so today we’re calling on the Welsh Government to take urgent action to improve drivers’ facilities across the country. To safeguard future supply chains the government and industry must work together and address the chronic ongoing shortage of HGV drivers.”
Logistics UK welcomed the report. Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK’s Policy Manager for Wales, said: “The Committee’s proactive and comprehensive plan to tackle the HGV driver shortage demonstrates that it has listened closely to the concerns and suggestions of Logistics UK and incorporated our proposals. These include measures to develop HGV driver apprenticeship programmes, increase the number of training providers available, and expedite the development of regional and national freight strategies.
“Most crucially, the Committee calls upon the Welsh Government to announce a national audit of rest facilities for drivers with the intention to improve provision where it has been found to be lacking, something we have been championing on behalf of our members for some time, since poor driver facilities continue to be a huge barrier to recruitment and retention of drivers. Now, it is vital that the Welsh Government moves swiftly to enact these measures, and works closely with industry throughout the process to ensure the best possible outcome to support Wales’s logistics sector and wider economy.”
