Concerns are growing over the impact of rocketing diesel prices on Galloway’s haulage industry.
Dozens of local firms keep the wheels of agriculture turning by shipping livestock, milk, feed and fertiliser.
According to one industry source, some firms are buffered by fuel surcharge clauses in contracts with customers.
But smaller operators in particular are seeing already tight margins being squeezed even further.
Creetown lorry driver Chris Box, who works out of hauliers SJ Bargh’s Stranraer depot, predicts tough times ahead.
He said: “It’s very scary.
“Covid worried me slightly but this situation – where’s it going to end?
“For one trip, filling a 600-litre tank with diesel and the driver’s wages could be £1,500.
“And that’s before the lorry has made anything.
“If this goes on a lot of hauliers will switch the lorries off and hang the keys up.
“This could finish the wee hauliers but even some of the big hauliers are struggling.
“It could kill this area.”
Mr Box said many haulage companies had been forced to employ shunters – replacement drivers who take over mid-journey – to avoid enforced rest breaks under transport regulations.
He said: “One local firm I know has taken on two extra drivers to take the lorries on so they don’t infringe tachograph rules.
“Sticking to the 40mph speed limit on A75 going down to Lancashire can actually mean you need rescued.
“That’s simply because you run out of time on the tachograph.
“All that adds extra time and costs – the A75 needs to be 50mph just like the A9.”
Mr Box added: “If the government does not start doing something to help hauliers they are going to have to put their rates up. And if that happens a lot of farmers might say it’s not worth it.
“Hopefully somebody will sit up and listen.”
