R M Silcock Haulage

31/05/2026

The Sunday shift!
“We’ll just be a few hours”…..8 hours later and both in need of a hose down! 😁🚿

08/05/2026

Friday!🙌 🚛

Another week, another thousand miles,
Sunrises, sunsets, roadside smiles.
Engines humming, tyres that roll,
Highways calling the driver’s soul.

Coffee strong and the radio loud,
Rolling steady, calm and proud.
Through wind and rain, through dark and light,
Keeping the country moving day and night.

So here’s to the drivers, near and far,
Kings and Queens of the long-haul car.
Friday’s here, the road runs free,
Safe miles home for you and me. 🚛

27/04/2026

Monday here already! Busy few weeks & lots going on at the yard.
Wouldn’t have it any other way! 😉

15/04/2026

Avoid A1 Scotch Corner today from noon…..or you may have to join in? 🤷🏼‍♂️🚛

08/04/2026

Back to the break of dawn after a few days off! 🚛 Hope you all had a good Easter! 🐰

09/03/2026

🚛 YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS US 🚛

Truck hauliers are being squeezed harder than ever. When fuel prices rise, many operators can’t pass the costs on because they’re locked into fixed-rate contracts. With fuel making up 35% - 50% of operating costs, the rapid price increases happening RIGHT NOW are crushing already tiny margins.

Yes, we’re all feeling the financial strain - but haulage companies, delivery firms, and small transport operators are being pushed to the brink. And when times like this hit, there’s little to no support from government or local agencies.

Many smaller firms are now being forced into desperate measures:

🚛 Selling vehicles
👷🏼‍♂️ Reducing staff
⛔️ Cutting routes
😔 Or shutting down completely

The Real Risks ⚠️

The UK haulage industry is facing what many call an “insolvency epidemic.” Profit margins in haulage are often just 1–2%, and rising costs are creating a perfect storm that many businesses simply cannot survive.

What’s Driving the Crisis? ⬇️

⚠️ Soaring Operating Costs (beyond the extortionate fuel costs)
Non-fuel costs have risen nearly 6% year-on-year.

• Insurance premiums up 8–21%

• Repairs & maintenance up 8-10%+

• Tyres, parts & equipment up 8%+

• New lorries up 20%+ since 2023

⚠️ Driver Costs & Shortages

• Employment costs up around 6%

• 55% of drivers are aged 50–65

• The UK needs 40,000–60,000 new drivers every year, yet the costs for new drivers including lessons, tests & CPC qualifications is forcing potential new drivers out

⚠️ Fuel Price Volatility

Diesel still accounts for around a third to half of running costs, yet rates are often fixed and fuel surcharges rejected.

⚠️ Broken Infrastructure

• Congestion costs around £120 per hour per HGV

• Traffic accounts for 16% of freight costs

• Potholes are causing massive repair bills

• 11,000 secure truck parking spaces are missing, fuelling freight crime that has cost the UK £1bn+ since 2020

⚠️ Regulation & Debt Pressures

• Clean Air Zone charges up to £50 per day

• High interest rates hitting fleet financing

• Small firms struggling to afford new technology

• Increased DVLA & DVSA taxes and charges

⚠️ The Payment Gap

Many operators cannot pass these rising costs onto customers, leaving businesses absorbing losses until they collapse.

🚨 Without your hauliers, the UK stops moving 🚨

❌ No supermarket deliveries.
❌ No building materials.
❌ No fuel distribution.
❌ No supply chains.

🚛 THIS COUNTRY DOES NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT ITS HAULIERS.

📢 Please share! This crisis needs to be recognised before it’s too late! 🙏🏻

16/02/2026

🎉Celebrating 10 years of R M Silcock Haulage 🎉

🎉Established 16/02/2016 🚛✨💫

A massive THANK YOU to our hardworking and committed drivers & the rest of the team.
We wouldn’t be where we are today without you! 💪

🌟Here’s to the next ten years! 🌟

18/01/2026

Some before & after pics of the newest addition to the fleet! 🤩
There’s been blood, sweat & tears getting this one road ready, but we think it’s all been worth it! 🙌
Huge thanks to Top Signs Ltd
for their great job with the new look livery & a big pat on the back to Andrew getting it s**c & span.
Toot toot 🚛💨 Happy trucking!! 😁

14/01/2026

Nice little job on behalf of MRC Crane Hire this morning, returning Hexham’s Christmas tree to Egger for recycling! 🎄♻️

Did you u know?…..the very first Norway Spruce was donated by Egger from Kielder Forest back in 2009, and it’s been lighting up the town every Christmas since ✨🌟

A nice tradition, a touch of teamwork, and a sustainable ending! 🌲🚛♻️

Hexham Matters

23/12/2025