Britain’s Road Haulage Association (RHA) is urging the government to do more to help truck operators recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

The call comes as RHA surveys have revealed thousands of hauliers are at risk of becoming bankrupt as many parts of the supply chain have ground to a halt during the lockdown.

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Key findings from the surveys:

  • Cashflow – 73% of firms say their cashflow is significantly reduced or worse (13% have no cashflow)
  • Volume – 83% say volumes have significantly reduced or worse (22% have no work)
  • Backloads – 88% say backloads are significantly reduced or worse (50% have no backloads)
  • Loans – 15% of operators have applied for Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) loans but 95% of those have had their applications rejected by banks and other lenders

Hauliers report 46% of lorries are inactive and 25% of drivers have been furloughed.

RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett said that the government must recognise the key role haulage will play in recovery and urged them to do more to help struggling firms back on their feet. 

“These figures are staggering snapshot of the impact this crisis is having on the industry,” said Burnett. “Many hauliers have no work but still have bills to pay and they’re finding it increasingly difficult to stay in business.

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“Struggling firms need help through sustainable measures such as debt support and more flexible furlough rules to pull them through the recovery effort and beyond.”