Timber Transport
How does the timber we get from forests make its way across the UK? The majority is moved via road, prompting investment in rural infrastructure and providing employment for skilled drivers.
Why do we need to transport timber in rural areas?
The UK imports 81% of the wood it uses. With global demand for timber growing, this can’t continue - so the UK needs to grow more wood we use at home. All the governments across the UK support this approach.
There is increasing demand for wood and wood-based products as UK architects and house builders seek to use more sustainable materials. To meet this demand, trees are harvested and moved to wood processing sites to make various products - frames for housing, fencing for farms and gardens, flooring, pallets, panel boards for kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and much more.
As a result, the amount of timber coming from UK forests is rising. From 1976-2012, it increased from under 1 million to over 6 million tonnes per year. This is forecast to rise to around 10 million tonnes per year by 2030.
What is being done to help rural roads cope with timber lorries?
Rural roads have generally not been upgraded to a standard required, and their capacity to accommodate modern lorries weighing up to 44 tonnes is limited, with passing places small and infrequent. On more fragile roads, there is a risk that heavy traffic may break-up the surface, leaving local authorities with high repair costs. An increase in heavy traffic on minor roads can also create disturbance for rural communities.
The Timber Transport Forum was set up in 2000 to ensure timber is moved around safely and with minimum disruption to people living near forests. This includes agreed route maps so timber lorries use more suitable roads, and the improvement of existing roads. Also, new roads can be built in forests to bring out timber onto a more suitable route, to reduce pressure on smaller, narrower roads.
The Forum is committed to speaking to people in advance of any changes to help identify issues and take actions. Local meetings (in-person or online) to discuss specific schemes can be arranged.
The Strategic Timber Transport Scheme also provides grants to improve roads in Scotland - and build forest roads - to make timber transport safer and less disruptive for communities.