Jonathan Gullis welcomed the Secretary of State for Transport to the Potteries
today for discussions on the road haulage industry with Browns Distribution Ltd.
Following on from making representations to the Government about the road
haulage industry, Jonathan welcomed Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for
Transport, to Stoke-on-Trent to sit down with Browns’s Managing Director, David
Brown Junior, and other senior staff.
With the road haulage industry in the UK moving around 89% of all goods and a
staggering 98% of food and consumer machinery products, Mr Gullis argues that it
is “vital” that the Government are aware of some of the difficulties companies like
Browns are facing. The road haulage industry employs around 2.5 million people
in the UK and are a key employer in Stoke-on-Trent.
After a tour of Browns’ facility, the Secretary of State spoke to drivers about the
challenges facing the industry. The Covid-19 pandemic led to a shortfall in drivers
which led the Government to fast-track drivers onto Class 1 licenses. However,
given demand for drivers is now considerably lower drivers at Browns told the
Secretary of State that they were no longer necessary and that it was important that
experienced drivers stayed on the road. Alongside this, both Jonathan and Browns
told the Secretary of State that there is a lack of infrastructure for drivers in
overnight laybys. The drivers said that that there are usually poor facilities next to
overnight laybys, including poor toilet facilities.
After visiting Browns, Jonathan and the Secretary of State met representatives of
the Kidsgrove Town Deal board. Along with Councillor Simon Tagg and
Councillor Paul Waring, the Secretary of State met with the Deputy Leader of
Staffordshire County Council. Ahead of the Board’s meeting with Network Rail to
discuss the development’s next steps, Jonathan said he was “reassured” that the
Secretary of State is aware of the project and the plans going forward.
Commenting, Jonathan Gullis said:
“As the Grandson of a lorry driver, I know that road haulage is an essential artery
in our economy, and in Stoke-on-Trent we are proud to have Browns’ which is one
of the key cogs in the machine that keeps the economy moving.
I was pleased to welcome the Secretary of State to Stoke-on-Trent to discuss some
of the challenges that the industry are facing and raise other key transport issues
in the area, including the landmark development of Kidsgrove Station”