Spotlight
Government consultation calls for industry comment on plans to decarbonise HGVs
The government has launched a public consultation looking at how to increase the number of zero emission trucks on UK roads, cut CO₂ emissions from new diesel HGVs, and how best to phase out the sale of diesel trucks up to 26 tonnes by 2035 and the sale of all ...
Latest news
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
Muller to create 90 jobs with new logistics hub, but some roles at risk
Dairy company Muller is to build an in-house logistics hub at its Skelmersdale site which will accommodate up to 65 milk collection trucks and create up to 90 new jobs, the company has announced.
DP World expands operations at Segro Park Coventry
Logistics giant DP World is to lease a new 220,000sq ft industrial and distribution warehouse building at Segro Park Coventry.
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
Government consultation calls for industry comment on plans to decarbonise HGVs
The government has launched a public consultation looking at how to increase the number of zero emission trucks on UK roads, cut CO₂ emissions from new diesel HGVs, and how best to phase out the sale of diesel trucks up to 26 tonnes by 2035 and the sale of all ...
Muller to create 90 jobs with new logistics hub, but some roles at risk
Dairy company Muller is to build an in-house logistics hub at its Skelmersdale site which will accommodate up to 65 milk collection trucks and create up to 90 new jobs, the company has announced.
DP World expands operations at Segro Park Coventry
Logistics giant DP World is to lease a new 220,000sq ft industrial and distribution warehouse building at Segro Park Coventry.
Scorpion Engineering to appeal TC decision to revoke licence
Swindon-based Scorpion Engineering has launched an appeal against the Traffic Commissioner’s decision to revoke its operator licence, which followed a public inquiry in Bristol in October.
Rising turnover in 2025 fails to halt profit fall at John G Russell
Despite seeing pre-tax profit fall by more than half in 2024/25, John G Russell’s directors said they were “pleased” with the group’s performance, in what they described as a “challenging market”.
We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet
For UK operators, the decision to transition from their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets to electric alternatives is shrouded in uncertainty. A good example of this is the derisory £18m grant allocated to operators who are considering the procurement of electric trucks.
Milk transport specialist WM Armstrong (Longtown) delivers rising turnover and profit
Family firm WM Armstrong (Longtown), which specialises in milk tanker haulage, livestock transport, general haulage and distribution, saw both turnover and pre-tax profit leap in 2024/255, aided by increasing customer volumes and new contracts with existing major customers.
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Government consultation calls for industry comment on plans to decarbonise HGVs
Muller to create 90 jobs with new logistics hub, but some roles at risk
DP World expands operations at Segro Park Coventry
Scorpion Engineering to appeal TC decision to revoke licence
Rising turnover in 2025 fails to halt profit fall at John G Russell
We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet
Milk transport specialist WM Armstrong (Longtown) delivers rising turnover and profit
Operator news
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
Muller to create 90 jobs with new logistics hub, but some roles at risk
Dairy company Muller is to build an in-house logistics hub at its Skelmersdale site which will accommodate up to 65 milk collection trucks and create up to 90 new jobs, the company has announced.
DP World expands operations at Segro Park Coventry
Logistics giant DP World is to lease a new 220,000sq ft industrial and distribution warehouse building at Segro Park Coventry.
Scorpion Engineering to appeal TC decision to revoke licence
Swindon-based Scorpion Engineering has launched an appeal against the Traffic Commissioner’s decision to revoke its operator licence, which followed a public inquiry in Bristol in October.
Rising turnover in 2025 fails to halt profit fall at John G Russell
Despite seeing pre-tax profit fall by more than half in 2024/25, John G Russell’s directors said they were “pleased” with the group’s performance, in what they described as a “challenging market”.
We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet
For UK operators, the decision to transition from their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets to electric alternatives is shrouded in uncertainty. A good example of this is the derisory £18m grant allocated to operators who are considering the procurement of electric trucks.
Milk transport specialist WM Armstrong (Longtown) delivers rising turnover and profit
Family firm WM Armstrong (Longtown), which specialises in milk tanker haulage, livestock transport, general haulage and distribution, saw both turnover and pre-tax profit leap in 2024/255, aided by increasing customer volumes and new contracts with existing major customers.
Armagh-based Allied Fleet Services rebrands and creates 15 new jobs
Armagh–based customs and compliance provider Allied Fleet Services has announced a £500,000 investment that will create 15 new jobs.
Royal Mail and Post Office to trial 24/7 parcel lockers
Royal Mail and the Post Office are launching a trial of parcel lockers at Post Office branches across the UK.
McCann Logistics adds 12 Renault Trucks to fleet and raises awareness of men’s mental health charity
McCann Logistics has strengthened its UK fleet with the addition of 12 new Renault Trucks T High 480 tractor units, marking the company’s first-ever move to the Renault Trucks brand.
Administration watch
Loss of major contract led to Lancashire haulier’s closure
Earl Transport in Accrington collapsed after almost 30 years of trading when its largest customer enforced “uneconomical” restrictions on a contract and then withheld a £156,000 payment, new documents revealed.
Circle Express’ purchaser says firm can “thrive”
The new owner of Circle Express said all 158 jobs at the air freight specialist were saved when it bought the firm out of administration just before Christmas.
Devon haulier collapses with loss of 20 jobs
South Molton Transport, a North Devon-based aggregates haulier, has entered administration after it ceased trading in November.
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Industry news
Government consultation calls for industry comment on plans to decarbonise HGVs
The government has launched a public consultation looking at how to increase the number of zero emission trucks on UK roads, cut CO₂ emissions from new diesel HGVs, and how best to phase out the sale of diesel trucks up to 26 tonnes by 2035 and the sale of all ...
FleetCheck partners with BIFA to boost van safety standards
A new partnership with fleet software specialist FleetCheck is aiming to increase van safety standards among British Internatiional Freight Association (BIFA) members.
Government rating of councils’ pothole repair performance welcomed by Logistics UK
A new traffic light rating system, published by the government this week, which allows drivers to check the performance of local highway authorities on tackling potholes, has been welcomed by the logistics industry.
Motor Transport Awards 2026 open for entries with new Future Fleets category
New category honours operators embracing net zero, AI and autonomous technology as iconic industry awards celebrate four decades of recognising excellence across UK road transport
Storm Goretti gritting plan lambasted by haulage operators
The strategy of gritting the roads ahead of Storm Goretti, which battered large parts of the country this week, has been criticised by operators that branded it an “absolute shambles”.
Segro hails strong year of leasing activity on Slough estate
Real estate developer Segro said its Slough trading estate had turned in a very strong year, with its location, connectivity and modern infrastructure continuing to attract businesses.
Road Safety Strategy makes road risk an employer responsibility
The government’s long-awaited road safety strategy launched this week is a warning shot to operators, with those demonstrating adequate training and data oversight better protected, lawyers said.
Tanker drivers accept Certas pay deal
An improved pay offer put forward by Certas to its 400 fuel tanker drivers has been accepted and planned strike action has now been called off.
Certas Energy opens HGV refuelling bunker in Warrington
The UK’s largest independent fuel distributor has opened a £1.2m bunker site at Warrington’s Omega Business Park, bringing its total HVO refuelling locations to 16 nationwide as demand for renewable diesel continues to grow.
Industrial & logistics demand 27% above pre-Covid average, Savills reveals
Take-up of UK industrial & logistics space of over 100,000sq ft is ahead of both 2023 and 2024 volumes by 16% and 13% respectively, year-on-year, and 27% ahead of the long-term, pre-Covid average, according to Savills latest Big Shed Briefing.
Interviews
Harris MAXUS expands technician training to tackle skills shortage
The Dublin-based importer has invested significantly in its training academy to meet rising demand from over 90 UK dealers, delivering structured programmes from system technician to master technician level with particular focus on electric vehicle safety and diagnostics.
Martin Willmor’s vision for DHL Supply Chain: strategy, challenges and growth targets
Returning to DHL at a pivotal moment, new UK&I CEO Martin Willmor lays out a focused five-point strategy - spanning growth sectors, transport reform, major startups and property investment - to steer the business confidently through a shifting economy
John Lewis cutting emissions today and in the future with the best technology available
The John Lewis Partnership’s fleet manager has cut transport emissions in half since 2018 by switching 500 trucks to bioCNG and trialling electric vehicles, achieving a major milestone by purchasing the company’s final diesel vehicle this year.
Hydrogen a viable option in a future multi-fuel zero carbon landscape
The HydraB group is targeting hydrogen pricing of £8/kg to 9/kg to achieve total cost of ownership parity with diesel equivalents, as CEO Harry Bowcott explains how an integrated approach across vehicle manufacturing, fuel production and infrastructure can simplify hydrogen adoption for fleet operators.
Malcolm Logistics looks for customer support for next steps on sustainability journey
Malcolm Logistics picked up the Haulier of the Year Award at the 2025 Motor Transport Awards, the second time the company has collected this coveted award.
“Cutting off the tail was the first step” — Angela Carus on leaving Boughey to reshape a local family firm
Seven months into her new role, the former Boughey MD explains why she left a major operator to take on the challenge of transforming Law Distribution
From turbulence to turnaround: Life after Charlie Shiels at ArrowXL
After years of upheaval and the departure of chief executive Charlie Shiels, ArrowXL is embarking on a recovery mission. Backed by French logistics giant Jacky Perrenot, new CEO Philippe Cuoc reveals his plan to rebuild the Wigan-based delivery firm from the inside out
“Cyber threat now critical" - tech CEO reveals how to protect your business
Ransomware attacks on transport fleets are escalating, exposing weaknesses in outdated IT systems. Trimble chief executive Rob Painter and technical lead Jonah McIntire tell Motor Transport that moving to AI-powered, cloud-based platforms isn’t just vital for cybersecurity - it’s also key to boosting efficiency, automating routine tasks, reducing emissions and ...
Opinion
We’ll need more than derisory grants to electrify our 26-tonne-plus HGV fleet
For UK operators, the decision to transition from their existing internal combustion engine (ICE) fleets to electric alternatives is shrouded in uncertainty. A good example of this is the derisory £18m grant allocated to operators who are considering the procurement of electric trucks.
Europe’s used truck market has come of age - what it means for UK hauliers
As UK hauliers face rising costs, persistent driver shortages and new CO₂-linked road charges for European operations from 2026, 2025 marked a turning point in Europe’s used truck market — offering British fleets a clearer, more strategic path to renewal
Customs changes demand urgent digital shift for freight operators
International freight businesses must urgently modernise customs systems to meet incoming UK and EU regulatory changes, including ICS2 Phase 3, France’s ELO requirements, and enhanced HMRC transparency measures, warns Derry Bros customs manager Sarah-Louise Murray.
Connectivity: The key to driverless HGVs
As the UK pushes towards connected and autonomous freight, it is the resilience of our data networks, not just the vehicles themselves, that will determine success.
Contracts
CitySprint builds on Wickes contract success
CitySprint has extended its partnership with home improvement retailer Wickes until the end of 2027.
Prolog takes on distribution for channel retailer Brand Creations
Fulfilment provider Prolog has struck a deal with the multi-channel retailer Brand Creations Group to manage the distribution of its products across the UK.
Fraikin contract deal a real glass act
Glass supplier Clayton Glass has signed its first ever contract hire deal with Fraikin and taken delivery of three new 18-tonne rigids, after a recommendation from one of its customers.
Masters Logistics continues partnership with British Sugar
Knowles’ group company Masters Logistical has signed a three-year contract with British Sugar, building on its longstanding partnership with the manufacturer.
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