Freight News, Logistics, Road

Kent chaos must not be repeated, says Logistics UK

[ January 4, 2021   //   Chris ]

Logistics UK has written to transport minister Lord Agnew calling for an urgent review of traffic management and welfare arrangements for HGV drivers in the wake of chaos when France closed its borders to traffic for two days over Christmas.

It says that thousands of drivers were stranded without access to basic hygiene and food provision.  Policy director, Elizabeth de Jong,  said: “That drivers should have to spend two days at the side of the road, without adequate toilet facilities or the immediate provision of hot food, was a national embarrassment,” she says, “and the need to rely on the generosity of the charities, businesses and local residents and the support of the Armed Forces must not be repeated.  In the first few months of the year, the UK relies on fresh food supplies from across the Channel to keep our supermarkets stocked.  But this lack of concern for driver welfare could impact on the willingness of EU hauliers to send their drivers to this country, and we want to protect the integrity of the supply chain.

Tags: Logistics UK