National statistics

Road freight statistics: April 2020 to March 2021

Road freight activity statistics for the United Kingdom and internationally between April 2020 and March 2021.

From:
Department for Transport
Published
3 November 2021

Documents

Road freight statistics: April 2020 to March 2021 tables

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Details

Statistics on road freight transported by Great Britain and UK registered Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in the United Kingdom and internationally from April 2020 to March 2021.

Domestic road freight activity by Great Britain registered HGVs operating in the UK decreased in the 12-month period ending March 2021 compared to the same period ending March 2020:

  • the amount of goods lifted decreased by 10% from 1.41 to 1.26 billion tonnes
  • the amount of goods moved decreased by 10% from 151 to 136 billion tonne kilometres

When comparing to the 12-month period ending March 2021 to the same period ending March 2019:

  • the amount of goods lifted decreased by 11% from 1.42 to 1.26 billion tonnes
  • the amount of goods moved decreased by 10% from 151 to 136 billion tonne kilometres

International road freight activity by UK-registered HGVs transporting freight internationally decreased in the 12-month period ending March 2021 compared to the same period ending March 2020:

  • the amount of goods lifted decreased by 19% from 7.4 million to 6.0 million tonnes
  • the amount of goods moved decreased by 20% from 4.5 billion to 3.6 billion tonne kilometres

When comparing the 12-month period ending March 2021 to the same period ending March 2019:

  • the amount of goods lifted decreased by 35% from 9.3 million to 6.0 million tonnes
  • the amount of goods moved decreased by 39% from 5.9 billion to 3.6 billion tonne kilometres

Caution should be taken when comparing these data to previous time periods because of the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, along with previously announced timings of the UK leaving the EU and the subsequent end of the transition period, have caused higher levels of volatility in freight statistics.

Contact us

Road freight statistics

Email roadfreight.stats@dft.gov.uk

Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

Published 3 November 2021

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