The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is pressing the UK government to take part in further talks aimed at boosting funding to get more drivers licensed and qualified to drive heavy goods vehicles.
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett says the whole industry was massively disappointed by the lack of funding in the Autumn Statement.
So in a letter to chancellor George Osborne he is asking for an urgent meeting – highlighting the growing threat to UK economic growth by a worsening shortage of drivers.
"Government is failing this industry and the economy, and urgent action is needed from the Treasury," insists Burnett.
"An opportunity to lead transformative change was missed in the Autumn Statement, which ignored our strongly-supported case for funding," he continues.
"But the analysis that the RHA set out remains valid and the problem of a worsening driver shortage is not going to go away."
Burnett says the RHA supports the chancellor's objectives set out in his Autumn Statement, but adds that the economy needs to have enough lorry drivers for him to deliver on his promises.
"Right now, we are 45,000 drivers short. If the issue is not urgently addressed, in 12 months' time that figure will increase to 60,000.
"If the UK doesn't have enough people able to drive the lorries that keep the economy moving, the economy will grind to a halt."
