Haulage firms have been warned not to underestimate the impact of Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Phase 3, even though many EU states have chosen to push back its introduction. The staggered rollout has created confusion across the road freight sector, with operators unclear on which rules apply and when. Industry experts say this fragmented approach has left many hauliers exposed and unready for the upcoming compliance demands.

ICS2, which began its phased launch in 2021, is the EU’s updated cargo information system designed to tighten security for goods entering the EU, Norway, and Switzerland. The system requires earlier submission of detailed shipment data, enabling more robust risk checks and greater supply chain transparency. While the delays have bought extra time for some operators, firms are being told to act now by upgrading IT systems, revising shipping processes, and ensuring staff training is in place.

Failure to comply with ICS2 could lead to serious consequences, including fines, shipment refusals, and delays at border crossings. Logistics providers are urging businesses to take a proactive stance, offering tailored support to adapt customs workflows and integrate the necessary digital tools to minimise disruption.

To help operators navigate the transition, new technology solutions have been developed, including digital platforms capable of generating Entry Summary Declarations automatically and AI-driven tools to simplify error handling. With more than six decades of industry expertise, providers emphasise that preparation is the key to avoiding costly setbacks as Europe moves towards full ICS2 enforcement.

An independent truck stop near one of the UK’s busiest ports has highlighted the urgent need for better welfare facilities for lorry drivers. The site provides meals, health checks, and space for dozens of vehicles, but its owners argue that more must be done nationwide to tackle loneliness, poor conditions, and low morale across the industry. They stress that truck stops should focus not only on physical health but also on dignity and mental resilience for those keeping the country supplied.

Many drivers say proper facilities are hard to come by, particularly for women, with rest areas often offering little more than basic toilets and parking. Clean showers, healthy food, and safe places to rest remain scarce, leaving drivers dehydrated and exhausted. The Felixstowe stop, however, has been praised as an exception — providing home-cooked meals, laundry services, and secure overnight parking.

The decline of truck stops in recent years, often sold off for housing or warehouses, has worsened conditions for drivers who are increasingly forced to spend nights in laybys without security. At Felixstowe, free water and healthier menu options are offered as part of efforts to improve driver wellbeing and reduce fatigue.

For many on the road, the lack of contact and proper amenities makes the job isolating. Staff at the stop say offering a safe place, a smile, and even simple conversation can make a meaningful difference, turning a lonely profession into something a little more human.

As the retail calendar edges towards its busiest spell, warehouse operations are bracing for the sharp spike in activity brought by Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas. These trading peaks place extraordinary pressure on logistics networks, pushing automated systems well beyond their everyday limits. For operations managers, the key question is whether their technology can cope – and if not, how best to strengthen it.

The cost of failure at these moments is high. Any breakdown in automation, or the need to revert to manual processes, slows order fulfilment just when speed is most critical. This not only disrupts revenue flow but also damages customer confidence. Resilient automation is therefore no longer optional; it is an operational necessity. A system engineered to withstand fluctuating demand provides predictable capacity, reduces costly emergency fixes and supports long-term business growth.

Designing with variability in mind is essential. Systems should be stress-tested at higher-than-normal volumes during design stages, with modular layouts allowing sections to run independently if issues arise. Intelligent load management helps avoid local bottlenecks, while redundancy across physical routes, control systems and communication networks reduces single points of failure. These design features create the foundation for stability under pressure.

Preparation, however, is just as important as design. Warehouses should simulate stress conditions well ahead of peak season, testing throughput, backup systems, data loads and recovery from outages. By validating systems under such scenarios, operators can be confident in their ability to maintain performance during critical periods. In a volatile supply chain environment, automation resilience has become a defining competitive advantage.

Selby MP Keir Mather has been appointed Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport (DfT) in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s latest cabinet reshuffle, following the exit of former deputy leader Angela Rayner. In his new ministerial role, Mather will oversee freight and border policy, as well as work on decarbonisation and the rollout of electric vehicles.

Mather first entered Parliament in 2023 after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election, becoming the youngest MP at just 25. He later secured the newly defined Selby seat at the 2024 General Election with a strong majority. Sharing his reaction online, Mather described his appointment as a “privilege,” adding that ensuring the country keeps moving was vital to supporting economic growth.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander welcomed him to the team, saying she was “delighted” to have him join the department. His appointment strengthens the DfT as it faces ongoing challenges around sustainable transport, supply chains, and the shift to low-emission vehicles.

Industry leaders have also responded positively. Richard Smith, Managing Director of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), congratulated Mather on his appointment and noted the importance of his new brief to the freight sector. He also highlighted the value of maintaining strong working ties with other DfT ministers, including Simon Lightwood MP and Lilian Greenwood, who will take responsibility for local transport.

The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) are calling on ministers to make training on preventative road maintenance compulsory for local authorities, in a bid to address the UK’s worsening pothole problem. They argue that councils are too often relying on expensive resurfacing projects rather than applying low-cost treatments that could prolong the life of roads.

The RSTA says sealing road surfaces at an early stage can stop water damage and extend durability, yet many councils wait until potholes appear before replacing entire layers of asphalt – often more than a decade after a road was first laid. The RAC’s analysis shows preventative maintenance is in sharp decline: in 2023/24, half of England’s highway authorities carried out none on A roads, and more than a third failed to use it on smaller roads.

RSTA chief executive Mike Hansford said a shortage of knowledge within councils was partly to blame, citing retiring engineers and gaps in training courses. He described a “knowledge gap” that has led to misconceptions and reluctance to adopt long-term solutions. “We need government to require training for those authorities still ignoring preventative maintenance,” he said.

Simon Williams, RAC’s head of policy, added that mandatory training would ensure the government’s £6.4bn road investment delivers value. By moving away from reactive patch-ups and resurfacing only when roads reach the end of their lifespan, he argued, councils could deliver safer, smoother and longer-lasting roads for drivers.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has revealed that more than 117,000 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers have left the profession in the past year, raising fresh fears over the resilience of the UK’s supply chains. The organisation stressed that the departures are not confined to those reaching retirement age but also include a significant number of drivers in their 30s and 40s.

The RHA report highlights a mix of pressures behind the exodus. High insurance premiums and costly training continue to deter both new and returning drivers, while the withdrawal of government-funded bootcamps has closed off an affordable entry route into the industry. With operators already working on razor-thin margins, the association argues that the profession has become increasingly unattractive to both recruits and experienced drivers.

Managing director Richard Smith said wage rises alone cannot address the crisis. He urged government and industry leaders to deliver a coordinated plan, warning that the shortage is now at levels “unseen since the pandemic”. He added that many qualified drivers are leaving because they feel the system is stacked against them, with lapsed Driver Qualification Cards (DQCs) pointing to long-term disillusionment.

The report concludes that structural issues lie at the heart of the problem, with decades of cost-cutting leaving hauliers vulnerable. Smith called for investment in affordable training, meaningful support for employers, and recognition of logistics as a cornerstone of the national economy. “We must build a system where HGV driving is seen as a respected career choice for the future,” he said.

Fresh data has cast doubt on government claims that the steep rise in Dartford Crossing charges would help cut congestion. From 1 September, the cost for cars, motorhomes and small minibuses jumped from £2.50 to £3.50, while HGVs now face £8.40 tolls – a 40% increase. Ministers argued the move was designed to “manage traffic levels,” but motoring groups say the figures show little has changed, branding the increase nothing more than a cash grab.

Figures shared by telematics firm GeoTab show that on the first day of higher charges, more lorries actually crossed than the week before, while overall traffic levels remained in line with August. Average crossing times also rose slightly, with drivers facing longer delays on both the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the northbound tunnels. The data suggests haulage companies are simply absorbing the higher costs, with no evidence that vehicles are shifting to cheaper off-peak travel.

Critics including the AA and RAC Foundation have condemned the decision, describing it as an “unjustified tax on movement.” They argue that with no realistic alternative routes east of London until the Lower Thames Crossing opens – at the earliest in 2032 – motorists and freight operators are being unfairly penalised.

The Dartford Crossing, linking Kent and Essex, carries up to 180,000 vehicles a day. Campaigners point out that the bridge was paid off more than two decades ago, yet drivers continue to face escalating charges. Local leaders warn that the move will only increase costs for businesses and, ultimately, consumers.

A new road safety campaign has been introduced to help drivers navigate motorways more safely, especially when travelling near heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). The initiative, developed by National Highways in collaboration with RED Driver Training, is aimed at both recently qualified motorists and those with years of experience behind the wheel.

The campaign underlines the dangers of driving close to lorries, pointing out that HGVs have significant blind spots. These include areas directly in front of the cab, immediately behind the vehicle, and diagonally behind the driver on both sides. Motorists are being reminded not to drive too close, to avoid lingering alongside lorries, and to always position themselves where they can be seen by the HGV driver.

The launch comes as thousands of new drivers take to the roads during late summer, with official figures showing more than 68,000 passed their test in August last year alone. Worryingly, one in four serious or fatal accidents involving HGVs involves a driver under the age of 30. National Highways said greater awareness of lorry blind spots and road positioning could help reduce risks significantly.

Colin Stevenson, road safety lead at National Highways, stressed that “understanding how to share the road with large vehicles is vital.” RED Driver Training’s CEO, Seb Goldin, added that extra motorway practice with an instructor could be invaluable for learners and newly qualified drivers in building confidence and experience.