We are on the road to Christmas chaos, claim concerned West Midlands firms
Christmas deliveries will be hit by a national shortage of lorry drivers, according to firms in the West Midlands.
Haulage bosses have warned shoppers they have 'genuine concerns' over their ability to deliver during the festive season.
The Freight Transport Association(FTA) says that many older drivers have left the industry because of new training requirements, which came in last month, and not enough new recruits are being found to replace them.
The problem is compounded by the increasing amount of shopping done online.
Sally Gilson, the FTA's skills policy development manager said: "Not all Christmas presents arrive by magic. The ones we order online and buy in shops for friends and relatives, along with all the food and drink we buy in for parties and Christmas lunch, are delivered every year.
"This massive peak in demand leads to heavy use of agency drivers, and FTA members are really worried that these drivers may not be legally ready to drive when they are needed."
She said members were telling the FTA they had genuine concerns over their ability to deliver at Christmas this year.
"The pool of agency drivers is just not there, and with the economy improving a greater number is needed. However, this is not just a seasonal issue – our members recruiting full-time positions are struggling for applicants," she added.
Steve Cope, transport manager and director at Stan Robinson, of Seighford, near Stafford, said: "It is a vicious circle. We have major problems in getting experienced or any drivers.
"We currently need another 10 and have 10 lorries standing idle because of the shortage.
"It will definitely impact on Christmas deliveries. We are getting far behind with work."
FTA member Aspray 24, of Willenhall, which employs 500 drivers across the country is also seeing the shortage of drivers affect deliveries.
Managing director Stuart Laight said: "It is a crisis within the industry and is definitely going to affect Christmas deliveries."
He added that Aspray needed to find 20 drivers despite running its own training scheme.
Under a new European Union Directive, drivers of lorries over 3.5 tonnes need to hold a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. The cost of acquiring a licence is about £3,000 and many people are unable to afford it.
