Every year, National Lorry Week celebrates the UK’s fifth-largest industry, the road transport industry. This vital and often-overlooked role is responsible for transporting and delivering 98% of our essential consumer goods across the nation, including food and medicine – so it deserves a little celebration.
Considering the dent Coronavirus has had on the economy, it’s been amazing to be part of an industry that has continued to thrive their workload and be the backbone of the nation so desperately needed. That’s why the sixth National Lorry Week is rumoured to become bigger and better the ever before.
Running from 16th-22nd November, well-known organisations including National Lorry Week and the Road Haulage Association (RHA) have launched a variety of activities this year, from careers to success stories, to help encourage young people and those who may be considering joining the next generation of drivers, managers, and technicians.
Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire
1 in 12 of the UK’s workforce are involved in logistics. With hundreds of logistic companies and organisations, there are thousands of different career paths and responsibilities that will support the process.
For the next 5 days, there will be a variety of stories available on National Lorry Week, from people who have successfully made a career in the sector. Their stories talk about their journeys, and what it means to work such a vital role.
In addition to this, to educate young children on the industry that fills the shop’s shelves and keeps the country from struggling, the RHA is hosting three competitions for Nurseries, Primary Schools, and Secondary Schools across the nation – with opportunities to win up to £1000 worth of Amazon vouchers for the school.
Europe’s largest truck wash, Lymm Truckwash, has partnered with the RHA to hold an open day on Thursday 19th November, where a range of companies including D4Drivers, Snap, and Maple Fleet, will be on-site to offer free industry advice and goodie bags!
With so much on offer this week, National Lorry Week is an exciting time of year for the sector and the perfect opportunity for people to find out more about the road transport industry.
As the years go by, there is an increasing need for every business and organisation to be more considerate of their carbon footprint every day. The transportation industry is undoubtedly the reason why fuel consumption in the country is so high, but we are also responsible for over 80% of all goods transported across the country and overseas, so the industry and workload is vital for the economy.
Across all sectors nationwide, a review of existing processes and systems is underway to identify the strengths and weaknesses, and any opportunities to minimise these impacts at a significant rate. Asa Haulage company in Cambridgeshire, we understand that achieving this will be a huge step in support for not only the UK but the world’s climate targets in creating a brighter future and less-damaged environment for generations to come.
Improving sustainability standards within the transportation industry will involve important evolution in how communities move around, how products are transported, and how future road routes are designed. But there are also plenty of things HGV drivers individually can do to reduce their company’s carbon footprint.
1. Walk or bike to work
While you can’t exactly avoid these long journeys in your HGV, as it is your job and it is the most effective way of transporting goods to short and long distances, you definitely can adjust your method of transportation on getting to work and back. If you live a reasonable distance from your workplace, biking and walking are healthy, eco-friendly alternatives. Don’t forget… Every little helps!
Walking or Biking to Work: Reducing our Carbon Footprint as a Haulage company in Cambridgeshire
2. Don’t run on empty
It is estimated that around a third of HGVs run empty during their journey. This occurs more frequently on the vehicle’s journey home, as most drivers tend to fill up before or during the journey ahead, so the return leg of the journey is essentially an empty trip – increasing in carbon footprint and wasting time, money, and fuel.
In addition to this, due to the increasing expenses of running this type of business, there is an escalating pressure for haulage companies to minimise costs by day. And it’s safe to say, HGVs running on empty doesn’t contribute to that nicely. Make sure your vehicle has a reasonable amount of petrol throughout the whole trip – making use of this can help cut out millions of miles of journeys with empty vehicles, reducing your carbon footprint and improving costs, too.
3. Watch your speed limit
This goes hand in hand with being safe on the road, in general, but one of the simplest and easiest ways to help reduce your carbon footprint is to adapt an effective driving habit of watching your speed limit. The more you put your foot down, the harder it will be to avoid emitting extra CO2 into the atmosphere.
Watch Your Speed Limit: Haulage company in Cambridgeshire
4. Recycle rubbish
Long journeys will definitely involve some snacks and drinks on the way. It keeps drivers energised and motivated throughout the day. However, eating and drinking in your vehicle will inevitably cause a build-up of rubbish, especially if you don’t have your own little bin.
As this is your job, the presentation of your vehicle will represent your company, so it’s important it is clean and free from rubbish. When disregarding your plastic bottles and food wrappers, be sure to dispose of them appropriately using bins and recycling sources.
5. Plan your routes to minimise driving time
Planning your route before leaving for your journey will not only keep you organised, but it will also save time and petrol. Getting lost is also very irritating! If you take a wrong turn, come across a big traffic jam, or a road closure, you are forced to turn around and find a different route to make your delivery on time.
Relevantly, this extra driving time will increase the fuel consumption of your journey. Perhaps not a lot, but enough to produce more greenhouse gases. And now more than ever, creating sustainable transport is vital for the industry.
As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to affect day-to-day lives worldwide, health and safety has became an even bigger priority than before. For businesses, keeping the environment clean and social distance secure is the primary focus, to ensure everyone is kept safe when visiting and working.
As individuals, maintaining good health should always be important for us, but prioritising it when balancing your work and social life should always be your main aim. Below are a few ways drivers can keep clean and safe during these tough times.
1. Disinfect your vehicle
In order to control the spread of germs, it’s important you keep your “working environment” clean. Germs live on skin, clothes, and most surfaces, so be sure to regularly wipe down your seats, steering wheel, and dashboard. Be aware of your hygiene when you visit petrol stations, too. Recent findings from Admiral have found 41% of UK road users say they are scared about catching the virus from using fuel pumps. After touching the petrol pump, most drivers return to their vehicles and contaminate items in their vehicles. Think about how often you clean and disinfect your vehicle?
2. Keep hand sanitiser and wipes handy
Prioritising your health – Hand sanitiser
Having spare hand sanitiser and wipes in your vehicle will be super handy for desperate times you need to clean your hands or spillages. This will be particularly good if you make regular stops, handle loads, and interact with other individuals throughout your daily routine.
3. Watch what you eat
The food and liquid you ingest every day has a huge impact on your energy, emotional and physical levels. It fuels our body, keeping us motivated and happy throughout the day. However, poor eating habits have been proven to impact driver performance, so it’s vital you stick to a healthy diet plan. We’re not suggesting never touching a takeaway again (who could possibly do that?), but simply prioritising your food plan by swapping out fizzy drinks for water, preparing lunch in advance, and having healthy snacks available rather than your sneaky stash of chocolates – will definitely keep you feeling healthy and energised for the workday ahead.
4. Keep updated with Coronavirus hotspots
As an HGV driver, it’s highly likely you will be traveling to various cities and counties on a regular basis. Stopping for regular breaks and deliveries, it’s safe to say you will be interacting with a lot of different places and people. As a result, during these uncertain times, it would be a really good idea to keep yourself updated with the coronavirus hotspots.
5. Obtain an adequate sleep schedule
When driving on a road, especially in a dangerous, heavy vehicle full of goods, it’s pivotal you feel in a healthy, rested state to make the journey safely. Tiredness impairs driving performance more than anything else, as it reduces reaction time, alertness, and concentration, putting you, passengers, and other drivers close by inconsiderate danger. There are plenty of ways you can avoid the risk of an accident:
Make sure to have a good, early night rest before the day of the journey.
Change drivers if possible and if the passenger is feeling alert themselves.
Make a stop for food, caffeine, or to rest.
Swannells Transport – Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire.
Here at Swannells Transport, as well as providing a quality service in haulage and warehousing, our main focus is keeping our drivers and team safe during these tough times. For more information, please contact us on 01487 822065.
Have you got a long drive coming up? With lockdown completely changing our day-to-day-lives in the last four months, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if you’ve forgotten how to cope on a long journey!
Worry not – throughout the whole duration of lockdown, Swannells Transport and the rest of the haulage industry have remained as resilient as possible.
Given our experience with long-distance driving, we thought we’d give you a few pointers that will make your long journey more manageable. For a safe and happy drive, follow these points to keep you focused and entertained on the move.
1. Make sure you have plenty of rest.
Make sure you have a good night’s rest before you take on the journey. It’s so important you have good energy levels on long journeys to keep you and others safe. If you feel yourself getting tired, pull over in a safe place, and have a nap or stop for food and physical activity, this will definitely keep you focused and safe during your drive.
2. Check your vehicle prior to leaving.
Prevent a breakdown or even an accident by checking your oil, water, tire pressure and petrol level before leaving for your long journey. This will keep you confident when driving.
3. Plan your routes.
There possibly isn’t anything more stressful than getting lost or coming across a road closure during a long journey, which can cause extra stress due to following diversion signs. Long journeys come with a lot of “What Ifs”, including:
What if I run out of petrol?
What if I need to go to the toilet?
What if I break down?
What if I get lost or there are roadworks?
Get one step ahead of these questions and plan your route. Using a map or useful navigation tool, plan a safe and efficient route suitable for your vehicle. Consider peak times and do some research on any upcoming roadworks on that route. It may also be a good idea to think of alternative routes in case there is a road closure.
Planning your route for a long drive
4. Think food and drink.
Not only does the food and drink we consume have the nutrients and energy we need to function, but it also keeps us happy. Prior to the journey, make sure you have a healthy and enjoyable dinner the night before and a nutritional breakfast in the morning. Try and avoid unhealthy meals before the journey because this has been known to cause discomfort.
Additionally, research the route of your journey to see what food options are on the way. You can plan your stops for food and drink as well as keeping some nibbles for the journey, too.
5. Leave with plenty of time.
Make sure you leave with plenty of time to make your destination. You never know what could happen or what you could come across on a long drive, such as a traffic jam or you’re in the mood to grab a bite to eat. This will keep you less stressed and make the journey more enjoyable.
6. Keep Cool
Driving in a hot or cold vehicle in the wrong attire is completely uncomfortable, but now you’ve got to battle it out the entire journey – too bad you didn’t check the weather and plan ahead, right?
No driver of any kind could bear a long journey wearing clothes that aren’t suitable for the weather. Check the forecast in the morning; if it’s due to be cold, wear an outfit that will keep you warm and then bring an extra jumper for just in case. The same goes when it’s hot weather, wear an outfit that will keep you cool but bring a jumper just in case it gets cold. Doing this will keep you comfortable and focused on the roads.
7. Entertain Yourself
Keeping yourself entertained is so important. It keeps you feeling motivated for the rest of the journey ahead. When you are on the move, make sure you have something to make the time pass, like music or a podcast – but be safe.
Keep yourself entertained during a long drive
Swannells Transport – Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire…
At Swannells Transport, we have an experienced team of haulage professionals ready to deliver the highest standard of services for which we have become renowned for in Cambridgeshire and throughout the UK. We have a fleet of 16 vehicles including dedicated drivers who are trained to enjoy and carry out short/long journeys.
Get in touch with us today or give our Facebook page a like for more fun blogs and updates.
With businesses temporarily closing and transport lines shutting down, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Coronavirus outbreak has rocked the transport industry. From mobility services and public transport to haulage companies, we have all taken a shaky impact.
However, despite this unavoidable situation, many national haulage companies have found a way to use their expertise and equipment to offer support during this tough time. After all, the logistics sector is the backbone of the UK economy.
Aiding the NHS
Doing our bit for the NHS.
According to news sources, there have been a number of haulage companies that have used their services to deliver vital medicines, equipment and hospital furniture to local and national hospitals to support the National Health Service. Whilst obeying social distancing rules at the same time, members of the organisations have worked hard together to provide essential items needed to treat patients and protect their staff from COVID-19.
Delivering Food & Supplies to Supermarkets
Supplying emergency food and critical supplies.
More than 700 logistic businesses have offered to use their unique, heavy-loading vehicles to help the Government transport critical supplies nationwide during the coronavirus crisis. The distribution of emergency supplies and food have been delivered across the whole of the nation, a gesture made by the Association of Pallet Networks (APN), which represents big haulier networks including Pall-EX, Palletforce and Palletways.
Using a central hub, these logistic businesses have communicated their deliveries to other organisations involved, so progress can be tracked and organised. Overall, it has been an excellent idea for the government to take advantage of our unique skillset and infrastructure, as ensuring food is stacked in our supermarkets, as well as stocked pharmacies and hospitals, is one of the biggest priorities during this crisis.
Offering Storage Space
As a warehousing company in Cambridgeshire ourselves, we are one of the few haulage companies continuing to offer storage space in their warehousing facilities. At Swannells Transport, we have the capability to store palletised goods for several high profile clients, which when ready for distribution can be picked, packed and loaded from our warehouse. This could be useful or convenient when businesses have temporarily closed and need somewhere to store vital equipment for safety and security.
We are here to help!
We can’t speak for all UK haulage companies, but as an individual representative, Swannells Transport is a haulage and warehousing company in Cambridgeshire. We have continued to provide our haulage, freight and warehousing services locally – with efficient protocols in place to ensure the safety of our workforce and customers.
Get in touch with us today on 01487 822065 or follow our Facebook page for regular updates and latest news posts.
As we enter a new decade, it’s a good time to reflect on the impacts and developments made in the 2010s. With over 80% of all basic, personal items being distributed and delivered by Heavy Goods Vehicles, it’s understandable that the industry is continuously growing.
So what’s in store for specialists in the HGV and forklift industry? In this article, Swannells Transport is exploring a few theories about the future of HGV driving in 2020 and beyond…
1. Stricter Laws and Qualifications
With safety becoming a bigger priority than ever, we predict that stricter laws and qualifications will come into play, to improve professional capacity, publicity and most importantly, safety on the roads. It’s highly likely we will suddenly see the introduction of more difficult qualifications in becoming an HGV driver or specialist.
After all, the use of HGVs for businesses are increasing exponentially. So, increased regulation will improve working conditions and safety.
2. A Gender Neutral Industry
Since the beginning, HGV driving has historically been a male-dominated industry. However, as we enter 2020 more and more females are stepping into the role in an increasing demand for skilled drivers.
Additionally, with stricter laws and qualifications also potentially coming into play, the better working conditions and salary is making the career more appealing for men and women. In fact, we have already begun the decade with more women working as HGV drivers than at any other point in history.
We can imagine a future where the ratio of drivers has a more equal ratio – we are excited to see how this decade will change those statistics.
3. Tesla Semi Electric Lorry Launch
In 2019, Elon Musk announced the launch of the brand’s new electric lorry was delayed until this year. The Semi is the new addition to Tesla’s well-known and popular electric vehicle range and will be capable of driving for up to 600 miles on a single charge, even when fully loaded.
Furthermore, this range of vehicle will be capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 5 seconds, so a powerful truck it shall be. However, according to the UK HGV drivers, the production of HGV vehicles shouldn’t be about power, it should be about efficiency and safety.
It’s claimed that the Semi’s energy recovery systems are capable of recovering 98% of kinetic energy to the battery – which is a lot more than other electric vehicles already on the road. With a low wind resistance, surround cameras and even a new Enhanced Autopilot system with emergency braking, automatic lane keeping and lane departure warning, this vehicle sounds like a very exciting addition to the range, with some environmental benefits too!
Tesla Launch 2020 – Warehousing Company in Cambridgeshire
4. Expected Increase in ADAS
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) is a type of truck safety technology that ensures a safer driving experience. 90% of road accidents are caused by a mistake made by a driver, so ideally, this system is aiming to create an accident-free future for the roads.
ADASs are electronic systems designed to assist a driver while in use of the vehicle using a wide range of powerful technologies that can either alert the driver of potential hazards or take temporary control of the vehicle if reaction times aren’t up to standards.
As safety and efficiency is a huge, huge factor of concern in the HGV industry, it is highly expected that ADAS will be seen as a mandatory feature, rather than an optional one.
Swannells Transport – Warehousing Company in Cambridgeshire
As a haulage company in Cambridgeshire, Swannells Transport like to keep up to date with the industry and the worldwide news. This allows us to improve the quality of our services, our equipment and our team.
Haulage in the UK has changed so much over the years. Which is understandable, as the cars and lorries we drive today haven’t always been around. As a haulage company in Cambridgeshire, Swannells Transport have been providing quality services in general haulage, warehousing and hazardous freight since 1981. This article will be taking us back in time and summarising the key changes and events regarding the beginning of haulage in the UK.
Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire – Haulage History
The Very Beginning…
For most of human history, people did not travel – everything was within walking distance so vehicles or any type of transportation weren’t necessary. If people needed to travel to different cities for work or visitation, there would usually be a horse or a mule involved. It was unusual to travel more than 10 miles away from home.
When the 1600s arrived, carriages became available to hire in London, causing the beginning of traffic jams within the United Kingdom. At first, it was considered an embarrassment to be seen in a hired carriage, but people eventually became more comfortable with it after a footman was introduced.
In attempt to prevent highway robbery and improve the safety and comfortability of travel in England, the “Highways Act, 1663” was introduced in Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire. This encouraged the UK to begin travelling longer distances!
The Creation of Roads…
By 1700, private companies had been developing and maintaining roads to encourage more and safer travelling. Also known as the “turnpike system”, the road network grew rapidly as more roads were built and maintained.
30 years after the first road was maintained, there was a large number of “turnpikes” in England and Wales. Furthermore, this influenced the urge for more road safety and organisation – which is where transport technology comes in.
1800’s
After trains and railways were invented and it was discovered that coal can be used for transportation, it was time for the industrial revolution. At this time, steam engines were the most common way of transportation and importantly, haulage jobs to be undertaken. After the first steam engine was built in 1895 by John Thornycraft, road transportation became a common occurrence.
Railways and steam engines were used to transport heavy, large and lots of items within short and long distances. In 1879, Karl Benz invented the first internal combustion engine i.e. the first engine for a car. 7 years later, the production of the first vehicle began. After this huge breakthrough, it didn’t take long for other car companies and organisations to begin using combustion engines in their vehicle production – creating a growing industry… Welcome to the world of cars!
1900’s
Let’s fast forward slightly – the 1900s was best known for the world wars, moon landing and some groovy dancing. The first lorry was invented in 1896 in Germany by automotive pioneer, Damlier – but by the first World War, there were over 25,000 heavy vehicles driving around. These trucks caused organisations to further improve the quality of roads, making transportation in the UK more laid out, organised and safe!
By 1960, there were over 600,000 lorries in the UK! During that 60-year interval, infrastructure, agriculture and the UK’s economy had grown substantially. More businesses were around, transportation were more reliable and communities became more entertaining and social!
Swannells Transport launched in 1981, by Andrew Swannell and his wife, Karen. With just one lorry, the couple had a vision to succeed and grow. Almost 40 years later, Swannells Transport is a successful haulage company in Cambridgeshire – providing our service in general haulage, warehousing and hazardous freight.
Swannells Transport History – Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire
Road transport is now essentially known as the “backbone” of the economy. More than 80% of all goods we consume and use – including food and clothes, are transported by HGVs!
We are Swannells Transport. Contact our friendly team today to discuss your haulage needs and requirements – whether it regards delivering, storage needs, or carrying hazardous freight.
For more updates and information on Swannells Transport and the haulage industry, give our Facebook page a like!
Swannells Transport is a haulage company in Huntingdon – operating warehousing, deliveries and general haulage on a daily basis. Due to its significance and our passion for the industry, we like to stay/keep you up to date with HGV news – and this one we find extremely interesting…
12 months ago, the police introduced ‘supercabs’, three unmarked HGVs driven by police forces, as a new method to catch dangerous drivers – and have proven to be a great success so far.
Police Forces Using New HGV “supercabs”
These unmarked HGVs have allowed officers to gather evidence of unsafe driving behaviour by pulling up alongside vehicles, filming the evidence and then the drivers are then pulled over by police cars that were following a short distance behind. For safety reasons (or in case of an emergency), the supercabs have a de-restricted speed limiter and hidden flashing police lights.
Due to the size and type of vehicle, it offers a lot of benefits to the police forces. For instance, it provides the perfect height advantage they need to see inside other vehicles, and the majority of drivers that are committing these crimes wouldn’t be suspicious of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) driving nearby, so it’s a great opportunity to catch them off-guard.
Swannells Transport – Haulage Company in Huntingdon
Funded by Highways England, the head of road safety Richard Leonard said: “Hundreds of thousands of drivers use our roads everyday and the vast majority are sensible behind the wheel but some are putting themselves and others at risk.
We introduced the three new HGV supercabs last year to help keep the roads safe and tackle dangerous driving by people who have either got into bad habits, or are simply ignoring the law.”
Out of the 29 police forces that have used these vehicles in the last 12 months, they have recorded more than 3,500 offences – 167 in the South West! From using a mobile phone while driving to not wearing a seatbelt, supercabs have enabled the law to be one step ahead of dangerous drivers.
Here are a few offences the forces have already caught evidence of in the last year:
8 motorists caught using mobile phones.
31 people caught not wearing a seatbelt.
32 traffic offences.
21 penalty notices issued.
4 dangerous drivers prosecuted.
Whilst the vehicles have been mostly operating in the Bristol area (M5), throughout this week the supercabs are being used to improve safety on the M1. Hopefully within the next few years more of these vehicles will be introduced and expanded to more of the UK’s roads.
As a Haulage Company in Huntingdon…
As a haulage company in Huntingdon, our drivers are highly experienced and trained to ensure safety is the first priority on the roads we drive on. If you are looking for a company who specialises in hazardous freight, warehousing and other general haulage, get in contact with us today to begin your journey!
For more news and information on our business and industry, give the Swannells Transport Facebook Page a like to be kept up to date!
Here at Swannells Transport, we offer our quality service in general haulage, hazardous freight and warehousing in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and Warboys. In this blog, we are focusing on how Swannells’ unique warehousing providers could be personally beneficial to you and your organisation.
Swannells Transport – Warehousing in Cambridgeshire
A Warehouse is a building that is used specifically for storing goods. They are used by manufacturers, importers, exporters, customs and transport businesses (like us!) etc. Warehouse teams are responsible for the loading, unloading, distribution and overall safety of these stored goods.
In addition to this, here are 5 reasons why our warehousing services can be particularly convenient for you.
1. 60,000 square foot of storage available
Swannells Transport boasts 60,000 square feet of storage space at our new warehouse facilities. Set in 4 acres of land, we have a wide amount of space available for you to safely and securely store your goods with great convenience. After all, investing in a warehouse provider whose facilities aren’t up to sizeable standards can cause dramatic problems within your whole organisation – due to the inconvenient size, it can cause issues within your management of timing, loading/unloading and clientele.
2. Our locations are suitable to most
Our business operates warehousing in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and Warboys – so one of our facilities are appropriately located for businesses with Cambridgeshire. Keeping your warehouse provider local keeps the communication fresh and allows you the opportunity to visit on a regular basis without having to take out hours of significant time on your schedule. Furthermore, our secure facilities are perfectly placed with quick links to the A1 and A14, so we are easily accessible and our delivery routes are gentle and convenient.
3. We are completely qualified
As obvious as this should be, we’d like to point out that the Swannells team are highly trained and qualified to store hazardous goods (including chemicals) in our warehouse in Warboys, along with the strong capability to store palletised goods in our Huntingdon warehouse.
Swannells Transport – Warehousing in Cambridgeshire
One of the biggest responsibilities our professional drivers have are transporting dangerous goods in a large, heavy vehicle, both internationally and nationally. Fortunately, they are qualified by the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road association, also known as ADR. ADR ensures that these road transportation vehicles can cross the borders freely, in compliance with its goods, vehicles and driver rules. These safety measures ensure trust and reliability between business to customer.
4. We have our own in-house qualified DGSA personnel
A Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) is a certified person responsible for providing advice and management to those undertaking activities including transportation, carriage, consignment, packing, loading, unloading, filling etc. Here at Swannells Transport, our service in warehousing in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and Warboys also provide us with our own in-house qualified DGSA personnel, so we have the capability to transport dangerous goods safely, both internationally and nationally.
5. Nothing is ever too big (or small) of a challenge for us!
Due to our friendly team, qualifications and quality equipment, we are confident that we can provide general haulage, hazardous freight and warehousing services to both high profile clients and small businesses. We are dedicated to helping anyone who asks, with an ability to perform as a leading logistics partner.
Warehousing in Cambridgeshire…
Here at Swannells Transport, we offer warehousing in Cambridgeshire, Huntingdon and Warboys. To begin your journey, get in contact with us today or for more information on Swannells Transport, like our Facebook Page!
The UK’s Road Records – Haulage Company In Cambridgeshire
Without roads, there would be very little organisation and less safety in driving a vehicle. Additionally, they are highly important to businesses within the haulage, warehousing and delivering industry etc. As a haulage company in Cambridgeshire, we are interested more interested in roads than the average Joe.
That is why we have created this article which discusses some of the UK’s road records.
How Do Roads Affect Haulage?
This is essentially an obvious one – roads are built to create complete organisation and safety for the public, ensuring there are standard, allocated routes for vehicles to drive through towns, cities and countrysides etc. In terms of haulage, our HGV and other used vehicles rely on the roads to deliver goods to customers within the right time frame and of course, safely!
The Top 3 Longest Roads In The UK?
So, what and where are the longest roads in the UK? And how long are they?
3. A30 – this road leads from Land’s End, Cornwall all the way to London. It is approximately 457km, which is 284 miles!
2. A38 – this road leads from Bodmin, Cornwall to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire! With a length of 498.6km (309.8 miles), you would be on this road for ever!
1. A1: Probably the most well-known road in the country, this leads from Central London to Central Edinburgh, which is an extraordinary distance of 396 miles (637km)!
The Top 3 Longest Motorways In The UK?
A motorway is a road that only allows motorised vehicles and permitted drivers onto it. Therefore, no pedestrians or cyclists can enter onto the motorway road. Here are the 3 longest motorways in the UK:
3. M4: This motorway runs from Chiswick, London to Post Abraham, Carmarthenshire. This is probably the only road in this blog that includes a little bit of Welsh region, the M4 travels from West London all the way down to South Wales, which is more or less the whole width of the lower UK! With a massive length of 191.9 miles, this motorway is particularly busy during the Summer peak season.
2. M1: Linking London to Yorkshire, the M1 remains one of the key road connections in the UK. With a length of 200 miles, this motorway begins at Staples Corner and makes it’s way through Milton Keynes, Leicester, Sheffield and Leeds.
1. M6: The longest motorway in the UK, the M6 has an outstanding stretch of 236 miles. Starting in Catthorpe in Leicestershire and ending in Dumfriesshire, this motorway is not only the longest, but it is also the oldest and probably most important connection in the UK.
The Top 3 Most Congested Roads In The UK?
Believe it or not, but road congestion is one of the most expensive road situations in the economy. Costing nearly £8bn annually, drivers are losing a lot of money each year from just sitting in traffic. So, what are the most congested roads in the UK?
3. A34: This road stretches from Highfield Road to Highgate Middleway, which are both in Birmingham. This road has been proven to waste approximately 44 hours a year, which is genuinely a significant amount of time and money.
2. Saltaire Road: Located in Leeds, this road links Harrogate Road to Bradford Road, where again, approximately 44 hours of time, money and petrol is wasted.
1. A406: From Chiswick Roundabout to Hanger Lane, in West London, is believed to be the most congested road in the UK, wasting an average of 61 hours a year.
As a haulage company in Cambridgeshire, who deal with deliveries and transport services, it should come as no surprise that we deal with traffic every once in a while! Make sure you keep safe & alert whilst sat in traffic.
Other Facts Of The Roads
The steepest sign-posted road in the UK is located in the Snowdonia National Park. The road is called Ffordd pen Llech and has a maximum gradient of 36.63% (we wouldn’t recommend cycling up here!).
On the 5th April, 1985, there was a huge traffic jam on the M1 that was 40 miles long!
Elgin Street in Bacup is not only the UK’s shortest road, but it is also the world’s shortest road! Measured at 5.2m in length.
The highest road in the UK is a private lane in Cumbria. With a 847m altitude, the road leads to an Air Traffic Control Installation, so it is put into good use! A permit is required to drive on it.
The A1123 is claimed as the bumpiest road in the UK! The road joins Haddenham to Earith and even after being closed for five weeks surface improvement, it’s still claimed to be a risky road.
How To Prepare For A Trip With These Roads?
It doesn’t necessarily have to involve one of the roads I have listed above, but any long, congested or potentially dangerous road should be taken with care, and there are plenty of ways you can do so:
Prepare a safety kit in your car incase anything goes wrong. This includes petrol, water, spare coat, oil or any other car essentials.
Clean your car! This might not necessarily make it safer, but it will put you in a much better mood, more motivated to drive safely and concentrate.
Be sure to check out our blog, ‘How To Enjoy A Long Journey’ for a complete guide on safely entertaining yourself during your drive.
Be aware of all dangerous or congested roads you may approach during your journey. You can find this out by plotting your journey into your Maps app before you leave. The majority of these apps show you any construction or temporary traffic going on nearby and on your route.
We are a Haulage Company in Cambridgeshire…
Offering general haulage, hazardous freight, warehousing and transport services, Swannells Transport are a haulage company in Cambridgeshire here for all of your haulage needs. Get in contact with us today to start your journey!
Alternatively, for more information about us, like Swannells Transport’s Facebook Page for daily news and updates!
