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

Where do Labour go from here?

By Tom Collinge | 18 May 2026

Labour suffered stark losses of councils and seats in the local elections. Tom Collinge looks at what a damaged party can learn.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Reform UK council hit by trebling of councillor conduct complaints

By Joe Lepper | 18 May 2026

Peers have raised concerns about the impact of increasing reports of negative member behaviour on staff morale and retention at a Reform UK-led council.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Home Truths: Linking data for healthier homes

By Tom Prendergast | 15 May 2026

Tom Prendergast says improving the UK’s housing cannot wait, and streamlining data linkage enables us to efficiently identify inequalities, evaluate housing ...

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

Why councils need to rethink construction procurement

By James Wright | 15 May 2026

For councils facing increasing complexity and scrutiny, getting the fundamentals of construction procurement right has never mattered more, says James Wright.

Popular articles by William Eichler