William Eichler 11 October 2021

Council chiefs warn driver shortages could hit gritting services

Council chiefs warn driver shortages could hit gritting services image

Local authority leaders have warned that driver shortages could affect gritting services this winter.

Many councils have been struggling to keep their waste collection services on the road due to the current shortage of HGV drivers.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is now warning that the driver crisis is likely to hit local gritting services.

‘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,’ said Cllr David Renard, transport spokesperson for the LGA.

‘As they do every year, councils will be working proactively to plan ahead and ensure that their winter services are as resilient as they can be.’

Cllr David Renard said that training more drivers is essential to ensure local authorities are able to recruit enough drivers in the long-term.

However, he warned that this was a ‘lengthy process’ that would not alleviate short-term pressures on frontline services.

‘Fast inflating HGV driver salaries in the private sector risks exacerbating issues in the public sector, with the rises potentially creating a retention as well as a recruitment problem for councils and their contractors,’ he said.

‘We want to work with Government to address these short term staffing issues to ensure people across the country can continue to receive the services they rely upon.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Assistant

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £25395.00 per annum
Residential AssistantPermanent, Full Time£25,081 up to £25,395 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Senior Planning Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Durham County Council is looking for experienced and knowledgeable Senior Planning Officers to join our vibrant Development Management team. Our team Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Head of Service – Social Care

Wrexham County Borough Council
G15 £63,148 - £67,058 per annum
There is an exciting opportunity within Children Social Care to join the senior management team Wrexham (Wrecsam)
Recuriter: Wrexham County Borough Council

Head of Service Social Work & Specialist Support

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Grade M scp 60 £72,118 - scp 64 £77,293
There couldn’t be a more exciting time to join us. Blackburn, Lancashire
Recuriter: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

Cafe Assistant - Weald Country Park

Essex County Council
Up to £13.3000 per hour
Café Assistant (Weald Country Park)Contract
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner