Truckers: Life on the Road

With 260 drivers out on roads clogged by train strikes, there's a lot of logistical juggling needed at the planning office. They're in charge of keeping drivers and deliveries on time and on track.

One of those drivers is long-haul trucker Tigger. She's a ‘tramper', meaning she's away all week, camping out in her cab. At the tail end of her working week, she's looking forward to heading home for ‘foot-down Friday'. But first, she's got an important delivery to drop in Derby. A particularly tricky yard is about to test her reversing skills to the absolute limit.

Operations director Doug's also navigating testing times. A national HGV driver shortage has left gaping holes in professional driver ranks. A year ago, the company was 163 drivers short, leaving trucks parked up and not earning money. A major recruitment drive has reduced the shortfall by 90%. But Doug's always on the lookout for new recruits, and it looks like today might be receptionist Jess's lucky day. She might be new to the company, but she's been dying to get a go behind the wheel. So Doug's offered to give her a first lesson.

Long-time trucker Andy has been in the lorry game for three decades. He's a specialist driver, trained to transport extra heavy loads of steel. After a 3am start, he's picking up from a titan of the Welsh economy - Tata Steel in Port Talbot. Today he's hauling a particularly hefty load. Work environments don't come much more hazardous than this, as massive furnaces burn throughout the day and night, breathing sparks, steam and fire. Andy needs to watch his step.