Tackling the driver crisis

Published: February 2005

Relay and the Road Haulage Association are holding a free breakfast briefing at Hollins Hall, Guiseley, on 25th February at 08:00, to raise awareness of the impending and hard hitting Working Time Road Transport Directive 2005.

Just as massive recruitment of drivers nationwide is urgently needed to stem the rapid exodus from the haulage sector, these regulations are set to make entry more difficult and raise employment costs. They are scheduled to come into force on 21st March, with anticipated annual costs to Britain’s haulage industry of £5.1billion. On any given day, there is a shortage of 45,000 drivers in the UK and all the indications are that the gap between those needed and available will widen dramatically in upcoming years. This will threaten supply and distribution of all goods around the country, with the likelihood of severe shortages, raised prices, company failures, unemployment and the compromising of vital health services.

Relay has run its own programme of driver retention and recruitment in recent years, establishing squadrons of experienced players, or new entrants whose training it sponsors. Paid above the industry average, all receive further, customer service instruction – with regular refresher courses – to ensure they provide what the company claims is a peerless offer.

Speakers will be Relay’s head of logistics, Ben Davies, and RHA instructor, Terry Collins. There will be a Q&A session and all attendees will receive detailed delegate notes. A complimentary breakfast will be provided. To secure your place, call Ben Davies on 01274 777973.