Pallet Network Problems

Please see below a list of current postcodes where the local depots are still seeing an excessive number of pallets.  Delivery dates may be delayed by up to 2-3 working days however some postcodes can be longer than this as seen below. 

There are currently some delivery delays in the postcode areas listed below:

Scotland

Premium 2-day, economy 3-day, Saturday, and timed services available

G1-4, G11-14, G20, G51 -53, PA1-19,

KA1-26, 29, 30, G9, 15- ,31, 33-40

G58, 70, G77- 79, FK1 - 10, 15-21

North & Northwest (Yorkshire / Lancashire)

2-day premium and 3-day economy

CA LA

Midlands

2-day premium and 3-day economy service

PE11-16 PE30-38

2-Day Premium and 3-day economy, no Saturday service available  

CV35-37

3-day premium and 5-day economy

OX44, OX49

3-day economy and 2-day premium

OX18, OX28-29

East Anglia

Premium 2-day and 3-day Economy

CB6-7 CB24-25

NR 19-23

No timed / AM service

NR1-18,24-35,99

Southeast

Premium next day, 3-day economy and timed Pm service / Saturday services

RG28-29, RG19, RG21-26,

SO2

SP4, 9 - 11

Southwest

Premium 2-day and 3-day Economy

BA1-2 (Bath Bridge closed to HGV’s)

4-day premium, 5-day economy

SP1-3, 5

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 Southeast, as well as parts of the Northwest.

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