Welcome to This Week in Freight, your go-to source for the latest haulage and road freight news and advice in the UK.
Truck parking chaos, smart motorways under scrutiny, and a new £18.5bn UK road plan that’s raising more questions than answers — this week’s TWIF covers it all.
We’re also looking at an exciting new HVO trial at UK ports, troubling EU border rule changes, and smarter warehousing on the horizon.
From fuel to freight flow, let’s dive into what’s shaping the road ahead.
🚛 Europe’s truck parking crisis: not just the UK
A new report from Belgium confirms what many in the UK already know: there simply aren’t enough safe, secure truck parking spaces. Across the EU, drivers are forced to rest on highway shoulders or in unsafe industrial zones — risking cargo, compliance, and personal safety.
Even where parking exists, basic facilities like toilets and lighting are often missing. The Belgian transport sector calls it a “dramatic shortage,” and the EU is starting to explore smart solutions — like automated column parking — to do more with limited space.
Sound familiar? As Europe turns to innovation and shared responsibility, there may be lessons for the UK too.
→ See what other countries are doing — and what we could learn.
🛣️ £18.5bn for England’s roads — but where’s the freight focus?
The DfT’s third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) lays out plans to spend £18.5bn between 2025–2030 — with upgrades, smart motorway removals, and toll reviews in the mix.
But critics say it lacks boldness, long-term thinking, and any clarity on how freight traffic benefits.
→ See what’s planned, what’s missing, and what it means for hauliers.
⚠️ Smart motorways, dumb results?
Despite years of promises, smart motorways and tolls still spark debate. Are they delivering on safety and efficiency for hauliers — or just adding cost and confusion?
This piece breaks down what’s working, what’s not, and where drivers are feeling the pain.
→ Read the verdict on smart roads and freight.
🛢️ Same price, 85% less carbon? HVO trial launches at UK ports
DP World is offering HVO fuel to truck operators at its UK ports — at the same price as diesel. The pilot, backed by Certas and New Era Fuels, aims to cut emissions while giving fleets a cost-neutral transition path.
With free carbon literacy training and up to 5,000 litres per vehicle, it’s a bold interim step to electrification.
→ See how to get involved in the trial.
Also worth a read
- New EU border rules from 1 September are causing confusion, with different countries enforcing the system at different times – and hauliers caught in the middle.
- Supply chain leaders are investing early to prepare for peak season 2025 – focusing on AI, automation and warehouse resilience to beat the bottlenecks.
- Know your slack adjusters: this practical guide explains when (and how) to make manual adjustments – and why you should usually leave them alone.
- From cupping to feathering, tyre wear patterns can reveal hidden problems with your truck’s suspension, alignment or driving habits.
- Smart warehousing isn’t just about robots – it’s about using data, dashboards and connected systems to boost safety, speed and sustainability.
Movers & shakers
Here are this week’s new transport deals, partnerships and developments:
- Leading Midlands logistics firm, D&D Transport, has opened the doors to a brand-new 70,000sqft facility in Alfreton, marking a major investment in its continued growth.
- Palletways UK is relocating its national HQ and core operations to a new purpose-built 640,000 sq ft facility at Fradley Park in Lichfield.
- Wincanton has extended its partnership with tea and coffee retailer Whittard of Chelsea.
- DHL eCommerce is opening a new 104,000sqft depot in Minworth, Birmingham to cement its presence in the Golden Triangle.
- Marks and Spencer is spending £340m to build an automated national distribution centre in Northamptonshire, as part of plans to double the size of its M&S Food business.
