Pallet Network Problems
All goods leave us on time; however the UK haulage network is currently struggling with severe driver shortages which is causing an unprecedented strain on the courier network and this is being reported in the news. A list of current postcodes that are having problems with excessive pallets are below. Delivery dates may be delayed by up to 2-3 working days however some postcodes can be longer than this.
There are currently some delivery delays in the postcode areas listed below:
Scotland
Premium Service is now on 2 day and Economy is on a 3-day delivery.
G1-4, G11-14, G20, G51 -53, PA1-19,
Premium 5-day, economy 6-day
PA41-49, PA60-78,
PH42-44 Premium 3-day, 4-day economy
PA80
EH14 Standard Economy Only
3-day premium, 4-day economy
TD12, 15
2-day premium and 3-day economy, no Saturday service
KA1-26, 29, 30, G9-10, 15- ,31, 33-40
G54-70, G77- 79, FK1 - 10, 15-21,
Northeast
Premium service remains economy now 3-day
NE2-4, 6-11, 28-38, 50-60, 82, 83, 85, 88, 92, 98 & 99
SR
2- day premium and 3-day economy
NE1, 5, 12-27, 39-49, 61-77
Economy 3-day, premium 2-day
DH1, DH7-9, DH97-98
North & Northwest (Yorkshire / Lancashire)
2 Day Premium service 3 Day Economy
BD2, 8-10, 13, 15, 20, 24, 98 & 99
LA, CA
2-day premium and 3-day economy
FY, PR1-4 PR11,
Wales
Premium service remains and 3-day economy.
SA19-73
Midlands
2 Day Premium and 3-day Economy
CV1-8
PE 11-16 PE30-38,
B13-18, 29-32,38,45,47,62,63,66,67,68, 94,95
LE4,5,7,13,14
3 Day Premium and 5-day economy
CV35-37
OX1-3 OX6-7 OX9 OX18, OX20, OX26-29 OX33, OX39 OX44, OX49
East Anglia
Premium 2-day service and 3-day Economy
CB6-7 CB24-25
NR1-18, 19-23, 24-35, 99
Southeast
2-day premium and 3-day economy service
SG 1,2,3,4,6,7,8,9,12,13,14,15, 16,17,18,19
SO20, 97 RG19 RG21-26 RG28-29, SP4, 9-11
No Timed Deliveries
C01-16
2-day premium & 3-day economy service, no timed services
CM0, 8, 9
Southwest
Premium and 2-day economy service only no timed services – Saturday service available W/C 29.11 2022
DT7, EX, TA1 TA21
TA2-4, 22-24, TQ6, 9, 11
Economy 3 days Premium remains
TQ1-5, 12 - 14
Standard Premium and Eco only (no timed Services)
PL1 – 35 & 95, TR1-27, TQ7-8, 10
2 days Premium and 3-day Economy
BA1-2,
BH, SP6-8
SN4, SN5
Premium 3-day, economy 4-day
SP1-3, 5
Premium 2-day. Economy 3 day
SP4, 9 - 11
London
Premium 2-day Economy 3-day
SE, DA5-8 14-18
SW1A, SW1E, SW1H, SW1P, SW1V, SWIW SW1X, SW1Y, SW3, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW10
SW2,4,8,9,11,12-20
Service re-instated but on reduced service levels
TN8, 13, 14, 15 & 16
Following the re-opening of retail and the food & drink industry, they have seen both the initial surge of businesses stocking up on supplies and subsequently perpetual replenishing of stocks all being sent through the network and this has been a major driving force in these unprecedented volumes. In addition to this, has seen the re-opening of self-catered staycations and these self-catering holiday facilities have also been a significant contributor to a demand that has outgrown resource in various areas of the country, in particular the Southwest and South East, as well as parts of the North West.
There has also been the announcement from Road Haulage Association on driver shortages and how this has significantly impacted the sector. Pre-Covid, the industry was suffering a shortage of drivers in excess of 250,000, and since the pandemic hit last year, this number has continued to rise. With the cancellation of tests due to the pandemic the number of new passes has reduced from the thousands to the hundreds for this year to date. Following the exit of many EU drivers who went back to their native countries as a result of Brexit, subsequent legislative requirements are proving too restrictive for them to return and work in the UK.
When this pandemic hit and many logistics companies saw an initial impact of reduced volumes, they took the sensible decision to ‘right-size’ their businesses to ensure survival. This meant reducing truck and trailer fleets, which led to the subsequent knock-on effect on manufacturers causing them to reduce their production facilities. This has again created its own perfect storm where they are seeing increased lead times and backlogs for new trucks and trailers as demand in the sector soars.
With all the above impacting supply chains industry wide simultaneously, it will take some time for the demand to be satisfied and the sector to be fully resourced again to allow it to return to normality. In the meantime, our hauliers would like to thank you for your time and patience during this extremely busy time