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.
🏗️ New roads, new runways, fewer headaches?
The UK’s supply chain is set for a major boost with two long-awaited infrastructure projects moving forward.
The £9bn Lower Thames Crossing has finally been approved, easing congestion at Dartford and cutting costly delays for hauliers.
Meanwhile, the government has backed Heathrow’s third runway, with logistics leaders pushing for dedicated cargo facilities to maximise its impact.
But will they deliver? Read the full breakdown on the RHA’s thoughts on the LTC and Loadstar’s update on Heathrow’s expansion plans.
🥬 Stay in the green with cabotage rules
Cross-border haulage is getting trickier, and cabotage laws are a big reason why. One extra trip in the UK or EU could land you with fines, delays, or even a ban.
🔹 How many cabotage jobs can you take before heading home?
🔹 What documents do drivers need to stay compliant?
🔹 How can smart planning and the right partners keep you profitable?
If you’re moving goods between the UK and Europe, you need to know the rules. Get the full breakdown here.
🚗 Safety tech: smart investment or driver confusion?
Fleet vehicles are getting smarter, but are drivers keeping up? A new survey by Venson Automotive Solutions reveals a growing trust in safety tech like automatic emergency braking (AEB) and lane keep assist (LKA)—but also highlights a gap in understanding.
📈 72% of drivers say they’d use AEB—up from 45% two years ago.
🚦 Trust in collision warning systems (CWS) is up 24%.
🌱 Eco-driving mode adoption has jumped from 56% to 69%, helping fleets hit sustainability goals.
Despite these gains, many drivers remain unsure about blind junction view, traffic sign recognition, and overtaking sensors. With self-driving vehicles on the horizon, now’s the time for fleet managers to educate drivers and maximise safety benefits.
Is your fleet ready for the future of ADAS? Find out how to bridge the knowledge gap in their guide.
📦 Do you need a bonded warehouse?
If your haulage business is growing, bonded warehouses and ETSF facilities can help manage customs duties, storage, and cross-border logistics more effectively.
🔹 Bonded warehouses: Delay duty payments, secure long-term storage, and improve cash flow.
🔹 ETSF facilities: Speed up customs clearance and keep time-sensitive deliveries moving.
Knowing when to use each can reduce costs, streamline operations, and give you access to international opportunities.
Find out which one is right for your logistics business in our guide.
🛑 CPC expired? Get back on the road faster
From 1 February 2025, UK drivers whose CPC expired up to two years ago can now requalify in just seven hours instead of 35.
🚛 No retest required
📅 Flexible learning options
📜 One-year CPC card issued on completion
This new course, backed by the DVSA and RHA, is designed to help tackle driver shortages and make it easier for professionals to return to work quickly.
🤔 Is AI really worth it?
AI is set to transform supply chains, with 75% of industry leaders believing it could automate up to 75% of routine tasks.
A new FourKites and YouGov survey highlights key challenges—blind spots, fragmented tech, and slow disruption response—but also the potential of AI for improving visibility, efficiency, and OTIF performance.
However, there are still concerns over data security, system reliability, and costs. Could AI be the breakthrough supply chains need, or just another complexity to manage?
Get a copy of the report here.
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