Strong Local Support for National Lorry Week

With an estimated shortage of around 5,000 drivers across Northern Ireland, it is not only the haulage industry here that has been severely impacted, but also the supply chain which is vital to the local economy.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons gets behind the wheel.

The issues have been highlighted during National Lorry Week when the industry recently promoted the work of the sector and the crucial role it plays to keep our supermarket and shop shelves well stocked. Northern Ireland is heavily dependent upon the transport sector as it’s the lifeblood of the economy with external sales of goods primarily transported by HGVs for NI companies estimated to be worth £15.9 billion with exports estimated to be worth £11.7 billion in 2019. National Lorry Week was organised by the Road Haulage Association and was strongly supported by many of our leading transport companies who were represented at its launch at Stormont attended by the Minister for the Economy Gordon Lyons and the RHA’s Policy Manager for Northern Ireland John Martin. Says John Martin: “Given that well over 90% of everything we use or consume reaches its destination on the back of a truck the country couldn’t function without trucks and drivers. The Coronavirus pandemic and the virtual shutdown of many sectors brought into focus the sometimes undervalued role the haulage sector plays in every ones lives. “More recently we have seen impact of the shortage of HGV drivers can have on fuel supplies in the south of England leading to panic buying which exacerbated the situation. We as a sector need to promote the role that we play in every ones lives and the Minister for the Economy can help promote this critical role both for the economy and all consumers.” John adds: “This year we’re showcasing the huge variety of careers logistics has to offer and we’re encouraging young people and anyone who may be considering a new challenge to think about joining the next generation of drivers, office support staff, managers and technicians. “We’re also asking people to show their appreciation for the sector; after all, nearly everything we buy or use has been moved by a lorry. “National Lorry Week is the perfect time to champion logistics as an innovative, inclusive and sustainable industry full of amazing

There was a good turnout for the launch at Stormont.

opportunities and we particularly welcome females who are vastly under represented within the sector. “We need to join with the local Executive and form a task force to jointly plan to address the many issues facing the sector including promoting careers within transport, attracting a more diverse workforce, producing safe and suitable truck stop service and rest facilities and reducing barriers to trade which slows the logistics supply chain and if we don’t the NI economy will suffer. “It’s estimated there is a shortfall of up to 5000 drivers within Northern Ireland, with some of the larger haulage companies reporting HGV driver vacancies of anything up to 80 to100 drivers. Most haulage companies are reporting driver vacancies with trucks parked up. Within NI we have over 5500 licensed HGV operators who have access to over 22,000 vehicles.”

Representatives of local haulage companies who attended the launch at Stormont.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons and the RHA’s Policy Manager for Northern Ireland John Martin.