Lorry driver shortage: why Bracknell driver won't come back

Christopher Nash, 59, from Crown Wood, retired from driving five years ago, but last week, he received a letter asking him to help out amid the fuel crisis that has hit the country.

He said the letter came “direct from the DVLA”.

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But Mr Nash will not be rejoining the lorry driving profession because he’s ‘tired of drawing swords’ with Government bodies and fellow drivers when he takes the wheel.

Mr Nash said:  “Absolutely not. Because for years and years lorry drivers were cast as moaning old gits.

“Lorry drivers are taken for granted.

“No one has wanted lorry drivers until now.”

He also accused Bracknell Forest Council of letting facilities for lorry drivers decline in the area. A key part of this was the closure of a lorry park in the Downmill Road industrial estate, which was closed in 2011.

“Bracknell Forest Council have done away with the lorry park and sold it.

“It has sealed off the laybys on the A322 where you can park the lorry for a break.

“You can drive for four to five hours then you’re legally required to take a break, but where can you take them?

“They have done away with the facilities and they need to take responsibility for it.

“There’s a lack of facilities and a lack of thought that’s gone into any sort of planning to accommodate these drivers.”

Mr Nash said there is space for 10 lorries to park coming off the M3 onto the A322 towards Bracknell, and space for one lorry to park on the A322 heading towards the M3. But he said both of these laybys have been closed down.

However, it has been pointed out that the 10 space lorry park Mr Nash mentioned is under Surrey County Council’s jurisdiction.

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Mr Nash went onto speak about wider issues about regulations and testing of drivers.

He said: “You’re competing with the law. You’re drawing swords with so many official bodies when you get behind the wheel.

“It’s an industry strangled by various bodies and rules, such as highways officers and speed camera enforcement.”

Mr Nash added that lorry drivers are required to undertake extensive tests before they can hit the road, in his opinion, he said drivers ‘have to be sat in classrooms on another course telling them how to suck eggs’.

A 'no fuel' sign at a Texaco petrol station. Credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

He also cast serious doubt on the Government’s strategy of using drivers from the army to make deliveries for fuel-dry stations.

Mr Nash said “The Government response by getting drivers in from the Army is a sticking plaster. The solution needs to be long term.

“Now they are shortening tests – which is a kick in the teeth to people who have trained for a long time.”

READ MORE: Drafting in the Army will not end fuel crisis, industry warns

Bracknell Forest Council has responded to Mr Nash’s allegations.

Neil Mathews, assistant director of Highways and Transport at the council, said: “In 2011, the lorry park at Downmill Road was converted to a council depot for the storage of road salt and winter maintenance equipment. This is needed to ensure a safe road network for all users.

“The council manages only a limited section of the A322, which does not include the laybys, however, we would encourage transport operators to consider a wider range of facilities for their drivers when planning their routes.”