The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that road congestion is costing the UK economy more than £30 billion a year — and Insite, a national leader in HGV driver training, is backing the call for immediate and long-term investment in road infrastructure, safe parking, and workforce development.
The RHA’s review, submitted ahead of the UK Government’s next Spending Review, highlights chronic underfunding of roads, insufficient facilities for drivers, and a growing skills gap that threatens to deepen the crisis. The association has urged the government to commit at least £23.1 billion to road network upgrades, £16 billion for local road maintenance, and £50 million to improve HGV parking and welfare facilities — all while keeping an eye on the £100 billion challenge of transitioning to net-zero transport.
Insite Echoes Industry Warnings
For Insite, the issues raised in the review reflect the reality seen every day on the ground.
“The challenges highlighted by the RHA are real and growing — we hear them from drivers every day,” said Gary Bernardout, CEO at Insite. “From unsafe layovers to underfunded roads, the pressure is on. Investment in infrastructure and skills isn’t just a policy issue — it’s about creating a safer, more resilient workforce and road network.”
With the UK facing a persistent shortage of qualified HGV drivers, Insite is echoing the RHA’s call to extend government-funded HGV Skills Bootcamps beyond their current 2026 timeline. The training provider believes that improving access to high-quality training is only part of the solution — what’s also needed is a physical environment that supports and retains drivers.
“We can equip drivers with the skills, knowledge and mindset to operate professionally, but if the roads they drive on are crumbling and there’s nowhere safe to rest, we’re setting them up to fail,” Bernardout added. “Better infrastructure translates into better safety, which leads to less stress, and better retention.”
Building a Future-Ready Workforce Requires Investment and Collaboration
The RHA review has also pertinently noted the vital role road transport plays in the UK economy, by contributing £13.5 billion annually and making up 5.6% of GDP. With logistics underpinning everything from food supply to manufacturing, Insite is calling for joined-up thinking between training, road planning and decarbonisation efforts.
“We’ve seen what’s possible when government and industry pull in the same direction,” said Gary Bernadout, CEO of Insite. “Initiatives like the HGV skills bootcamps have made a real difference on the ground. But drivers are still telling us the same stories — long hours with nowhere safe to stop, roads that are wearing down faster than ever, and a constant pressure to keep up. We’re happy to be a be part of the solution. We’re ready to do our bit — and we hope decision-makers are willing to listen again.”
As the road transport sector faces fresh pressures and growing responsibilities, Insite stands by its commitment to train confident, capable drivers — and to work alongside those shaping the future of Britain’s roads. With shared insight and a bit of common ground, the path forward is one we can build together.
