The volume of road freight transport in the UK demonstrated fluctuating patterns over the years from 2013 to 2023, with notable declines in 2014, 2017, and significantly in 2020 during the pandemic with a -16.45% decrease. It rebounded in 2021 with a notable 15.2% increase, continuing to grow moderately through 2023, which stood at 167.63 billion tonne-kilometers, reflecting a modest 0.61% year-on-year growth and a 0.47% CAGR over the last five years. Forecasts from 2024 to 2028 project a slight year-on-year growth, indicating stabilization with a forecasted average yearly growth of 0.51% and an overall growth rate of 2.57%.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Technological advancements in logistics that may further optimize freight efficiencies.
- Potential regulatory changes in transport emissions influencing road freight volumes.
- Continued economic recovery post-pandemic boosting overall demand.
- Shifts towards more sustainable transport solutions impacting freight modalities.
