The RHA has urged the Government to do more to help hauliers recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

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

Key findings from the surveys:

Cashflow – 73 percent of firms say their cashflow is significantly reduced or worse (13 percent have no cashflow).

Volume – 83 percent say volumes have significantly reduced or worse (22 percent have no work).

Backloads – 88 percent say backloads are significantly reduced or worse (50 percent have no backloads).
Loans – 15 percent of operators have applied for CBILS loans but 95 percent of those have had their applications rejected by banks and other lenders.

Hauliers report that 46 percent of trucks are inactive and 25 percent 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.

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

“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.”

About the Author: John Loughran