The Backbone of Britain – Why It’s Time to Rethink How We Talk About Road Transport

  Posted by: electime      10th November 2025

Comment from Paul Holland, Managing Director UK/ANZ Fleet, Corpay (Allstar, Keyfuels, The Fuelcard Company)

Last week, as the country marked it’s worth taking a step back to recognise the scale and strength of an industry that rarely gets the spotlight it deserves. Without lorries, the UK grinds to a halt. Everything we eat, wear, build and use has travelled by road at some point.

Road transport is the backbone of Britain, yet it’s often misunderstood. Too many people still see lorries as a nuisance or an environmental problem, when in reality they are part of the solution. The sector has adapted to every challenge thrown its way, from Brexit to fuel volatility to the complex journey toward decarbonisation and it continues to evolve at pace.

The truth is there’s no single path to net zero. Diesel, electric, HVO, hydrogen, all of them will play a role for years to come. What we’re really living through now is the messy middle: a long period of overlap where fleets must manage multiple fuels, limited infrastructure, and constant pressure from customers and regulators.

That’s why I think it’s time to change the tone of the conversation. We should stop framing transport as a problem to solve and start recognising it as a powerhouse of innovation and resilience. The people in this industry, from drivers and planners to engineers and fleet managers, are not waiting for policy or technology to catch up. They’re adapting in real time, keeping goods moving while balancing costs, emissions and compliance.

Driving a HGV today is a highly skilled profession that demands concentration, judgment and respect. Managing a fleet has become as much about data, forecasting and cost control as it is about logistics. These are complex, high-pressure jobs, and they deserve more recognition and investment than they often get.

National Lorry Week is about celebrating those people. It’s about reminding the country that the logistics sector isn’t just the heartbeat of the economy, it’s also a proving ground for the future of transport. The transition to cleaner fuels, smarter data and more efficient operations will be shaped on Britain’s roads long before it’s written into policy.

While others debate the long-term future, the industry is already doing the hard work. That’s what makes last week so important, not just as a celebration, but as a reminder that the road to a more sustainable economy quite literally runs through our haulage and logistics sector.