After announcing a $40m Series B a year ago, logistics scale-up InstaFreight has lured senior DHL staff to take on key roles in the shape of Olivier Prigent, who recently became Vice President Freight Forwarding.

Instafreight’s Maximilian Schaefer & Olivier Prigent open up on Mobility Package’s sustainability shortcomings

InPost, the company that sparked Poland's parcel locker revolution, recently announced its UK parcel locker network had hit 5,000 units. Despite reaching this significant milestone, the company's UK network still lags behind its Polish equivalent. The company is nonetheless upbeat about growing its presence in the UK. Pete Blackburn, International Commercial Director at InPost, says that the parcel locker and last mile delivery company are seeing “sustained growth" for out-of-home delivery options in the UK.

InPost seeing “sustained demand” for out-of-home parcel deliveries in the UK

It’s no secret that the electrification of road freight cannot succeed without the charging infrastructure to meet the needs of growing electric truck fleets. Virta, the fastest-growing electric vehicle charging platform in Europe, is one of the players that is striving to address this demand. The company is currently working with Swedish charging station operator Nimbnet on a national HGV charging network with stations in Gothenburg, Söderhamn, Sundsvall, and Nordmaling.

Tech & etiquette just two of the factors key to road haulage electrification, says Virta’s Martin Lundgren

Despite the pandemic proving to be a shot in the arm for digitalisation across the supply chain and logistics sector, huge strides still need to be made in some areas. One relevant example here is arguably shipping, where only a small percentage of bills of lading are currently being issued in an electronic format.

DCSA CEO Thomas Bagge outlines key steps and challenges on the road to full shipping digitalisation

According to reports in France, two lorry drivers will face charges for injuring two thieves who attempted to steal diesel from their truck. The thieves will also be charged with attempting to steal fuel. 

Lorry drivers arrested in France after running down diesel thieves

Blackburn-based haulage firm Kenyon Haulage has entered administration after reports that the firm's financial woes had led to drivers having to pay for fuel. 

Kenyon Haulage enters administration after reports its drivers had to fork out for fuel

Motorway services operator Moto appears to be trying to resurrect its plan for a 200-space HGV park that was rejected by Kent councillors last spring. 

Moto attempts to resurrect plans for 100-space lorry park in Kent

Police in Cambridgeshire have announced the launch of an investigation concerning a fire in Longstanton that burned 8 lorries. 

Cambridgeshire Police to investigate cause of blaze that saw 8 lorries catch fire

Road police based in the German city of Emsbüren have told of how a lorry driver <a href="https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/104234/5466453" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">was very lucky to escape injury</a> after failing to check his load of concrete slabs had been secured properly.

Lucky escape for trucker after unsecured concrete slabs smash through cabin

HGV inspectors in Sweden have told of how a lorry driver from Romania failed to blag his employer out of a fine for spending weekly rest in the cab.

Lorry driver fails to blag his way out of penalty for weekly rest in the cab

Continental has launched a new Verified Inspection app in Europe to provide a “seamless and cost-effective system for managing compliance and defect management for commercial vehicle fleets," as well as to increase transparency and efficiency in fleet workshops.

Continental says it news smartphone app boosts efficiency of walkaround checks

A 36-year-old lorry driver is facing assault charges after he lashed out at the man in his passenger seat for breaking wind in the truck cabin.

HGV driver faces charges for lashing out at passenger who farted in the cab

Two new lorry parking areas are coming to Huelva and Almería, bringing a combined total of 590 HGV parking spaces to Spain.

Two lorry parks with a combined 590 spaces to be built in Spain

Two lorries have been seized by Kent Police officers during a multi-agency operation in Swale.

Kent Police seize two lorries in connection with illegal waste transport and tipping

In today's Last Mile Brief, we bring you the latest on the Royal Mail labour dispute saga, plus a plethora of stories concerning DHL, Amazon, Deliveroo, Australia Post, Quadient, FedEx, Uber Eats and more.

Last Mile Brief 29/03/2023: Royal Mail’s industrial dispute escalates amid reported administration threat

The controversial block handling measure used in Tyrol <a href="https://tirol.orf.at/stories/3200491/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">will deployed on 17 dates in the second half of this year</a>, it has been announced.

Tyrol block handling: 17 dates planned for second half of 2023

<a href="https://www.bundestag.de/presse/hib/kurzmeldungen-940354" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Speaking at a meeting at Germany's Bundestag</a>, the spokesperson for the BGL, a major German haulage association, has warned that Germany's driver shortage is on course to be as bad as England's as soon as next year. 

BGL spokesperson warns Germany’s driver shortage will soon be as bad as England’s

Total-Energies has announced that its truckstop on the A4 near Dresden, located at the Ottendorf-Okrilla junction, shall be expanded with 70 extra lorry parking spaces as well as new facilities. 

Truckstop near Dresden to be expanded with more facilities and HGV spaces

According to reports in the local press, Henley on Thames Town Council has allocated £2,689 for experts to establish whether a HGV ban should be brought in to prevent lorries crossing Henley Bridge. The news follows a previous commitment to spend £2,000 on consultants regarding a possible HGV ban. 

Oxfordshire town invests over £4,500 to look into possible HGV ban

The director of well-known European haulage firm EM Rodgers has said it is the job of the Home Office and Border Force to stop migrants entering the UK, not hauliers and drivers. Speaking to BBC News, director Sarah Boyson made the comments after EM Rodgers was fined over £3,000 for unknowingly transporting 3 migrants to the Port of Calais.

EM Rodgers calls out Border Force shortcomings after receiving clandestine migrant fine

A lorry driver who drove for Hoofddorp-based haulier Bos Logistics has been ordered to pay his former employer over €36,000. The driver was found to have used his employer's company fuel card to purchase 12,312 litres of fuel for private use during Spring 2022.

Trucker ordered to pay €36,000 after using employer’s card for private fuel purchases

<a href="https://www.lenstore.co.uk/eyecare/uk-drivers-eye-test-guidance?tduid=6e7730ab3ff74605874af5dae98f9f73&utm_source=tradedoubler&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Skimlinks+UK&utm_content=1503186_6e7730ab3ff74605874af5dae98f9f73" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">A survey conducted by Lenstore</a>, based on a sample of 2,000 drivers, has found that 69% of lorry and bus drivers are not following NHS advice on eye tests. 

Research finds 69% of lorry and bus drivers haven’t had an eye test in 2 years

<span>Road police operating in the North Rhine-Westphalia region have stopped an obviously overloaded HGV and trailer that had travelled all the way from Serbia.</span>

Chat GPT: AI describes Scania V8 drivers and generates cringe song for truckers