National Lorry Week - A Success

The first National Lorry Week (26-31 October) has been a success say the Road Haulage Association.

Due to the event's success there are plans now for an even bigger event in 2016. 

“We launched National Lorry Week with the #LoveTheLorry strap line to raise the profile of our magnificent industry in the eyes of the public and the popular media and to hammer home to government the very real challenges we face with particular emphasis on the critical driver shortage," said the RHA Chief Exec Richard Burnett.

Companies who are members of the RHA  got behind the campaign by opening their premises to the general public such as schools. This generated media interest from the national and regional press outlets and also regional BBC and independent radio stations.

The pinnacle of media interest was when Chris Evans, the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast host, featured Lorry Week through his entire programme. A lot of the media events focussed on excellent drivers and the stories they have to tell about their journeys on the UK's and Europe's roads.

“The enthusiasm of our members and industry stakeholders from the start was overwhelming and the variety and scale of events amazing," Burnett added. "Members parked their HGVs in busy town centres, took them to schools and turned up at sporting events. The M6 also held a week-long event which was another great success. The RHA’s team in Scotland quite literally played an absolute blinder with Falkirk FC who ran a Love the Lorry day last  Thursday and repeated the event on match day. This gave thousands of supporters a great opportunity to get up close and personal with trucks and hear about our industry first hand.”

As well as media the first National Lorry Week recieved attention from MPs and civil servants after the RHA held a National Lorry Week Parliamentary reception in the House of Commons.

So it's good to see the HGV industry getting attention and the credit the logistic companies and of course the drivers deserve considering the way they keep the UK ticking over by distributing food and products we use on a daily basis.