Welcome to This Week in Freight, your go-to source for the latest haulage and road freight news and advice in the UK.
Every Friday, we gather the week’s top stories affecting fleet managers, operators, and drivers, keeping you informed on industry trends, updates, and key developments.
📈 A positive December for freight
Transport prices increased in December 2024, according to @Transport Exchange Group‘s Road Transport Index.
Here are three highlights:
👉 The TEG Index rose 5.7 points in December
👉 Haulage and courier prices both increased
👉 Fuel prices rose for the second month in a row
What’s consumer confidence looking like for 2025? What’s the trend for operating costs?
View TEG’s full report to find out.
🏆 The most congested city in Europe
In news that won’t surprise anyone: drivers in London lost 101 hours to traffic in 2024, making it Europe’s most congested city and costing the capital £3.85 billion.
Across the UK, congestion cost £7.7 billion, with Manchester seeing the biggest jump in delays (up 13%). The M25 and A40 remain major hotspots, while urban areas like Bristol and Leeds also saw increases.
How is this affecting fleet efficiency and costs?
Check out Fleet News’ analysis for the full breakdown.
⛴️ Are you ready for the new ETA?
From April 2025, EU drivers will need Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK, adding a new layer of complexity for international haulage.
Non-EU drivers already require ETAs, making early planning important to avoid delays and penalties.
Read our ETA guide to learn how to educate your drivers, track renewals, and integrate ETA checks into your operations to stay compliant and keep deliveries running smoothly.
⌚️ Like Fitbit, but for vans
Currys has slashed its annual fuel bill by £416,000 by adopting @Lightfoot’s in-cab driver coaching technology across its fleet of 672 vans. This “Fitbit for vehicles” provides real-time feedback, encouraging smoother, safer driving.
The results: A 10.8% MPG boost, 5% less idling, and nearly 11% fewer CO2 emissions. Plus, rewards like cash prizes and lower insurance premiums are keeping their drivers engaged.
Find out how tech is driving savings and sustainability at Currys – and how you could implement similar systems in your fleet.
💼 This week’s freight jobs
The logistics job market is back in full swing!
Azad Awan from HX has compiled his list of this week’s new and exciting opportunities, with roles at DSV, Next, DHL Supply Chain, cargo-partner and more.
Find reliable carriers and cut your costs with Haulage Exchange
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