That’s among key findings of a survey by the FTA (Freight Transport Association), sponsored by Volvo Trucks, which polled 265 ‘O’ licence-nominated transport managers in July this year (2015).
Other related problems highlighted include the ageing workforce, barriers to recruiting young people into the industry, inadequate roadside facilities and congested roads.
Over 46% of transport managers reported that in recent months they were either unable to fill HGV driver vacancies or had experienced long delays in doing so.
A majority of transport managers anticipated a shortage of drivers in the near future, with most blaming retirement as the greatest contributing factor.
Additionally, more than three quarters of the transport managers surveyed were over 45 (76%), and none were under 24.
Worryingly, 34% of respondents indicated that they are planning to leave the industry in the next five years, up sharply from 23% last year.
Other survey highlights of note include: the average number of HGVs per transport manager, which is now 43; the average number of ‘O’ licences per transport manager, now at two; and serious deterioration in the road network – with transport managers recording a 52% reduction in journey time reliability on urban city routes, a 41% worsening on motorways and a 37% decline on trunk roads.
Interestingly, of the 57% of transport manager respondents who have Euro V6trucks, on average 22% of their fleets are now made up of Euro 6 vehicles.