Edinburgh City Council has introduced a new fleet of heavy goods vehicles and welfare buses fitted with advanced safety features. The 152 HGVs, including bin lorries, road sweepers, gritters, mobile libraries, and construction vehicles, along with 27 buses transporting children with Additional Support Needs, have been equipped with cameras, sensors, and warning systems to reduce collision risks. This investment is part of a £56.8 million fleet asset management plan running until 2029, with over £25 million allocated to these vehicles.

The initiative follows the tragic death of 11-year-old Thomas Wong, who was fatally injured in a collision with a bin lorry in Barnton while cycling to school in March last year. In response, the council has accelerated its commitment to vehicle safety. Inspired by Transport for London’s Progressive Safe System, introduced in October 2024, all new HGVs feature blind spot cameras, moving-off sensors, audible turning alerts, and an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS). Welfare buses, though not HGVs, have also been fitted with these safety measures as they frequently operate in school zones and busy areas.

The council has already received over 70 new vehicles, with the full fleet expected to be operational by March 2025. Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson praised the investment, highlighting Edinburgh’s leadership in fleet safety and encouraging other cities to follow suit.

Jenkinson reaffirmed the council’s commitment to safe and efficient services, expressing confidence these measures will make a real difference. He believes this initiative will enhance safety across Edinburgh and encourage wider adoption of similar standards nationwide.

HGVC, a specialist in HGV driver training, has launched an exclusive app to support trainee drivers and simplify the training process. This latest initiative is part of the company’s efforts to address the UK’s ongoing HGV driver shortage. The app provides a step-by-step overview of progress, consolidating all training and testing stages into one platform. Regular notifications help users stay on schedule, ensuring a smoother learning experience.

A key feature of the app is its theory test support, offering instant access to DVSA-approved materials. Trainees can also benefit from real-time assistance via live chat, allowing them to seek guidance whenever needed. By integrating these resources, HGVC aims to remove barriers to the profession and make training more accessible.

HGVC has played a key role in reducing the HGV driver shortage through Government-funded Skills Bootcamps. Introduced in 2021 by the Department for Education, these 16-week courses cover up to 100% of training costs, helping thousands qualify. While HGV driver employment rose by 20.9% between Q3 2023 and Q3 2024, challenges like an ageing workforce persist.

James Clifford, CEO of HGVC, said: “The driver shortage has been a long-term issue, with high demand for skilled drivers and major entry barriers. Skills Bootcamps have helped candidates secure well-paid roles in 16 weeks. Our app will further simplify training, ensuring more drivers enter the workforce efficiently.”

A new report from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) warns that the UK logistics sector requires 40,000 new HGV drivers each year for the next five years to maintain supply chain stability. The report, Lorry Drivers: The Vital Link, highlights that road freight accounts for 81% of goods transported in the UK, emphasising the critical role of HGV drivers. Forecasts suggest that by 2029, demand for qualified drivers will rise to nearly 740,000, compared to the 700,000 currently required. However, the RHA estimates that only 684,000 drivers are actively working at present, underscoring a growing gap.

Recruitment challenges remain a key issue, with an ageing workforce adding pressure to the sector. The majority of HGV drivers are aged 50-59, while the number of drivers aged 25-34 is at its lowest in five years. Retirement, alongside health-related departures, continues to shrink the workforce. The impact of Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis have also contributed to the driver shortage. To address this, over 73,000 driving tests must be completed over the next five years to meet demand.

The report also raises concerns about the lack of diversity in the profession. Women make up just 2% of HGV drivers, although the proportion is slightly higher among those under 30 at 4.5%. Meanwhile, only 5.3% of drivers come from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to a national average of 16.3%. Additionally, just 1% of HGV drivers identify as LGBTQ+, significantly below the 3.5% reported across all industries.

A separate survey by fleet management firm Samsara echoes these concerns, with 69% of 500 commercial drivers agreeing that the sector is already experiencing a shortage. Additionally, 66% believe not enough young talent is entering the industry, while 53% feel that the profession is failing to attract women. Philip van der Wilt, Samsara’s senior vice president for EMEA, stressed that improving working conditions is essential to making the job safer, smarter, and more appealing to new recruits.

Drivers across Wiltshire, Leeds, Essex, and Buckinghamshire are set to benefit from faster and more efficient journeys as the government approves four major road improvement projects. The upgrades will focus on key routes, including the A350 Chippenham bypass, the A647 Dawsons Corner and Stanningley bypass in Leeds, the South East Aylesbury link road, and the A127/A130 Fairglen interchange in Essex.

Freight and logistics groups have welcomed the investment, highlighting its potential to ease congestion and strengthen supply chains. The A350 Chippenham bypass, a crucial link between the South West, the Midlands, and the South East, will receive £90 million in funding. Planned improvements include dualling two sections of the road and enhancing a key roundabout, cutting journey times by up to 25%.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood emphasised the importance of road infrastructure in supporting economic growth, stating that these projects will help people travel more easily while boosting connectivity. She noted that delayed investment has hindered economic progress, and these upgrades mark a step towards greater efficiency and mobility.

Michelle Gardner of Logistics UK stressed the significance of tackling congestion, which increases business costs due to delayed deliveries, excess fuel use, and inefficient transport operations. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) added that congestion costs the UK economy £30 billion annually, and these upgrades will play a vital role in unlocking economic potential.

Haulage operators in the UK can expect better road conditions with the development of a groundbreaking self-repairing asphalt that could help address the country's ongoing pothole problem, which costs an estimated £143.5m annually. The innovative asphalt, created by a team of scientists from King’s College London, Swansea University, and Chile, has the remarkable ability to repair cracks autonomously, without any human intervention.

The self-healing properties of the asphalt are thanks to tiny spores, smaller than a human hair, which are embedded in the bitumen. These spores, filled with recycled oils, are activated when the road surface is compressed by passing vehicles. The pressure causes the spores to release the oils, filling and reversing the cracks in the road. Laboratory tests have shown the material can heal microcracks in less than an hour.

Potholes are a major issue in the UK, with an estimated £16.3bn needed to repair roads, according to the latest local authority survey. Dr Francisco Martin-Martinez from King’s College explained that the self-healing asphalt mimics natural processes seen in trees and animals, which heal their wounds over time. The new material is also more sustainable, using biomass waste instead of petroleum, which could reduce reliance on natural resources.

National Highways has welcomed the development, recognising its potential to improve road maintenance and reduce disruptions. The research team believes this technology could revolutionise infrastructure and sustainability worldwide.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed changes to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) Regulations, which are seen as a vital support to the haulage sector. Starting from 1 February, a new Return to Driving course will allow former HGV drivers to requalify and return to professional driving in the UK.

Under the updated rules, drivers whose CPC certification expired between 60 days and two years ago can complete a seven-hour course to regain their professional eligibility. The course offers immediate requalification, followed by a one-year National Driver CPC card, with the requirement of an additional 28 hours of training to maintain the qualification.

Brian Kenny, RHA’s training director, highlighted that the new course is ideal for drivers who have taken a career break or were hesitant to return due to lengthy classroom sessions or retaking driving tests. The course, developed in partnership with industry experts and training providers, offers greater flexibility with in-person and remote learning options, as well as interactive e-learning.

The course covers essential topics such as walk-around checks, safe loading, vulnerable road users, drivers’ hours, and tachographs, ensuring drivers remain safe, compliant, and up to date. Kenny described the initiative as a "lifeline" for the industry, helping to address skills shortages and support drivers in restarting their careers.