UK Road Transport Business Is Under Pressure

In 2025, the number of road transport companies (whose primary activity is road transport) dropped 7% compared to 2024.

Reasons

1. Traditionally thin margins
2. Driver shortages
3. Environmental regulations — putting pressure on companies to invest in equipment upgrades or face charges
4. Brexit complexities (e.g., customs delays)
5. Points 2–4 combined, leading to growing operational costs
6. Declining shipment volumes

Impact

As a result, companies are exiting the market or merging.

The decline is evident across the UK.

Some regions where logistics businesses were concentrated (such as the West Midlands) have been hit the hardest.

London and the South East show some positive dynamics (+2–3%), but this growth is too modest to indicate strong regional expansion.