{"id":1972,"date":"2021-10-01T15:13:22","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T14:13:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/ahpd\/?page_id=1972"},"modified":"2021-10-01T15:43:19","modified_gmt":"2021-10-01T14:43:19","slug":"current-transport-issues","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/ahpd\/current-transport-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"Current Transport Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ next_background_color=”#000000″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” module_class=”main-navigation” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”dark” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ module_class=”header-image-section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_css_main_element=”padding-top:0px” transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” parallax_method_1=”off” module_class=”header-image” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/ahpd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/16\/2021\/10\/age-health-professional-drivers-network.jpg” show_bottom_space=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ border_color_all=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”0px|||” animation_direction=”left” use_border_color=”off” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ custom_padding=”||0px|” transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row custom_padding=”||0px|” custom_margin=”||0px|” parallax_method_1=”off” module_class=”breadcrumbs-row” _builder_version=”3.3.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Breadcrumbs (do not remove)” module_class=”breadcrumbs” _builder_version=”3.3.1″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” custom_css_main_element=”border-bottom: 1px solid #ececed;” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\nAge, Health and Professional Drivers' Network<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ specialty=”on” parallax_method_1=”off” parallax_method_2=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ transparent_background=”off” prev_background_color=”#ffffff” next_background_color=”#1d1d1d”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=”Left Nav Sidebar” area=”et_pb_widget_area_1″ show_border=”off” module_id=”left-nav-menu” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ remove_border=”on” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ specialty_columns=”2″][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=”Row” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_column_inner type=”4_4″ saved_specialty_column_type=”2_3″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” module_alignment=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]<\/p>\n

Current Transport Issues<\/h1>\n

The driver shortage for HGVs is now at crisis level in the UK. The Road Haulage Association and the Driver Require Group Ltd have called for action to mitigate the situation. They described the perfect storm resulting from many factors, such as: an ageing and retiring workforce; the effects of the Covid pandemic (foreign drivers returning home; increased demand across supply chains and loss of driver training and qualification opportunities); Brexit (fewer EU drivers available); government polices (changes to IR35 and ineffective apprenticeships); increasing cost pressures (higher freight rates; costs of Driver CPCs and medicals); low salaries; and the general lack of support from authorities and the government towards the road haulage industry. <\/p>\n

As fuel pumps on forecourts dry up, supermarket shelves and restaurants are experiencing shortages, the supply of Christmas produce is threatened, and many organisations and sectors experience supply chain issues, the government and industries in general have recognised how crucial lorry drivers are to the economy.
As well as the industry response of increasing salaries to attract HGV drivers (some drivers are moving organisations to the highest bidders), government plans are being considered to shorten the HGV testing process and release more HGV testing slots. <\/p>\n

The core purpose of the AHPD is to protect the health and wellbeing of professional drivers. One of the main challenges facing the transport and logistics sector is to attract new drivers, as well as “non-driving” drivers to return to the industry. We believe that improving the health and wellbeing of drivers is crucial to fixing the shortage. Maybe it’s time for everyone to go back and look again at our ‘Best Practice Guidelines’ that focus on ten areas of health and wellbeing our research identified as significant in relation to older drivers. Especially as the recommendations and links to external sources are applicable to drivers of all ages. You can download the Best Practice Guidelines here >><\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_accordion_item _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title=”What can you do to improve the working conditions and lifestyle of HGV drivers?”]<\/p>\n