Title

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Council leaders warn HGV driver shortage could hit gritting services

Local authority leaders have warned that the HGV driver shortage might hit gritting services this winter.

Local authority leaders have warned that the HGV driver shortage might hit gritting services this winter.

Transport spokesperson for the Local Government Association, Cllr David Renard, said councils were working to ensure their winter services were as resilient as possible.

However, he warned that the shortage of HGV drivers could undermine the ability of councils to ensure roads were safe to drive this winter.

He said: ‘While most councils have been able to keep services running, some may find that their gritting services are affected in the same way that some have seen waste collection services impacted.

‘To ensure that the impact of HGV driver shortages in minimised on critical services over this winter we would urge Government to consider all possibilities to work with councils to build staff capacity.

'This includes fast-tracking HGV driver testing for council-nominated drivers and supporting more training for these sectors.'

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

The analogue landline switch-off: why councils must act now to protect their communities

By Professor Sultan Mahmud | 24 September 2026

With the UK’s PSTN switch-off approaching, councils need to identify hidden analogue dependencies, says director of health and communities, business, at BT B...

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Loneliness is a public health crisis: Could city branding be the cure?

By Paul Blackburn | 24 September 2026

Paul Blackburn says stronger place identities can help councils foster connection, community and civic pride.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

EXCLUSIVE: Rowlands hails 'productive' leaders' council

By Dan Peters | 24 September 2026

Ministers have committed to establishing a more consistent programme of dialogue and collaboration with the sector.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

No need for local government reorganisation

By Jens Gemmel von Döllinger | 24 September 2026

Reorganisation may be paused, but councils can still pursue reform by redesigning services around people, place and demand, says Jens Gemmel von Döllinger.

Popular articles by William Eichler

-->