The freight and logistics sector is still suffering from a deficitof skilled drivers, according to the Freight Transport Association FTA July Quarterly Transport Activity Survey (QTAS).
The survey, which asked the opinions of 6,000 freight and logistics businesses in the FTA’s membership, showed that almost a third of respondents were experiencing long delays in recruiting HGV drivers. Members are keen for clarification on what the situation will be once the UK exits the EU.
Respondents reported weaker growth in domestic road freight activity levels in Q1 2017 in comparison with the previous quarter.
Across the other modes of freight transport, respondents reported that short sea, deep sea and air freight volumes are expected to grow on most trade routes in Q3 2017. The expected increase in export volumes is probably due to the low level of Sterling against the US Dollar. The anticipated rise in import volumes may be due to the continued growth in the UK economy.