RHA campaign to spread love for lorries

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has announced plans to stage a ‘National Lorry Week’ from 26-31 October, which it says has been developed: “to demonstrate to the public and politicians the vital role that lorries and road freight play in moving the economy and daily life. “

Announcing the plans at the RHA’s Compliance Conference last month, chief executive Richard Burnett (pictured) said: “85 per cent of everything we eat, wear and buy and use is moved, at some point, on the back of a UK-registered lorry. Without us, supermarket shelves would be empty, homes would not be built and manufacturing plants would grind to a halt.

“This industry employs over 2.2 million people and, quite literally, delivers the UK economy – to which it contributes £74.5bn. We have a huge impact on the lives of everyone in Britain but sometimes that positive contribution is overlooked.

“National Lorry Week will provide us with an opportunity to reach out to the public and politicians as never before to highlight our massive and positive contribution to daily life.”

As part of the event, hauliers nationwide will be opening their doors and inviting members of the public to “get up close and personal with a lorry”, and meet drivers and operators to learn more about the role played by the industry.

They will also be able to hear about careers in driving and other related jobs, and learn about the industry’s moves to reduce environmental impact.

In addition, the RHA will invite high-profile media figures to take a spin at the wheel of a truck, and spend a shift working with a driver. A nationwide radio campaign and a TV documentary featuring racing driver Tom Ingram, who has gone through the HGV driver training process, will also feature as part of the occasion.

The RHA will also hold a reception at Parliament to raise awareness of the industry’s role with MPs and ministers, who will also be given the chance to try out a state-of-the-art driving simulator.

Meanwhile, hauliers are being asked to display a ‘Love the Lorry’ sticker on their vehicles. This coincides with a nationwide ‘spot the sticker’ competition, with a £1,000 prize up for grabs for the winner.

More details, including information on how to get involved, are available here.