LORRY drivers keeping vital supply lines open have earned a well-deserved pat on the back.
That was the comment from Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell as he supported events to mark National Lorry Week, which runs until Sunday.
Early in the pandemic Mr Mundell and his son Oliver, the Dumfriesshire constituency MSP, campaigned for more facilities to be kept open for truckers on main routes during lockdowns.
“Lorry drivers were amongst the unsung heroes of the crisis,” said David Mundell, after he sat behind the wheel of an articulated lorry at a special Westminster event, hosted by the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
“With many facilities forced to close in the early stages of the health emergency, only drivers’ very basic needs were met and virtually all they could do during breaks was park-up, eat and rest in their cabs.
“At one point in my constituency, for welfare reasons, some roadside operators desperately wanted to provide more support and facilities for lorry drivers, but were blocked from doing so by the authorities.
“I now believe there is far greater recognition of the importance of our logistics sector and their needs and I’m delighted to offer my support to National Lorry Week.”
The former Scottish Secretary backed an RHA initiative to encourage more people to train and work in the transport industry.
He said: “There is now wider acknowledgement of the massive on-going contribution of the logistics sector and, with an international shortage of professional drivers, there are many career opportunities.
“I will continue to press for sufficient support on the roads network for lorry drivers as they do their vital work in all weathers and help keep the country going.”
