A Scots trucker has lifted the lid on the reality of life on the road as the Government grapples with a crippling shortage of drivers.
Forbes Mutch swapped his globetrotting offshore job of almost 30 years to fulfil his lifelong passion for lorries five years ago.
While business is good for the dad-of-three, from Aberdeen, he faces difficult working conditions every day that are leading to empty shelves and petrol pumps across the county.
The self-employed 55-year-old battles rising fuel costs, long hours against the clock to ensure his jobs pay and even the threat of criminals targeting his vehicle while he sleeps.
But he is determined to make the hard work worthwhile and has just bought a second articulated lorry in a bid to boost his business.
Forbes said: “We need the public and the companies we deliver to and from to try and understand what it’s like for drivers.
“Joe public have no idea and I don’t think many care as long as they have food on their shelves and can go to B&Q for what they need.”
A typical working day can start at 3am for Forbes as he travels the length and breadth of the UK, working up to 15 hours a day.
His firm FM Transport is trusted with regular work from larger Aberdeen hauliers, delivering everything from oil industry and building trade supplies to food for big supermarkets.
But the jobs he is assigned can make a major difference to his pay packet.
He said: “The food supply jobs are one of the main issues with regards to drivers getting fed up and shortages within the industry.
“You can be sitting there for four or five hours at these warehouses waiting to be tipped. They are the worst for delays.
“They may not have space to take the goods in yet so use the haulier as storage to keep it fresh. That has a major impact on the price of that delivery, which is timed.
“If that truck’s not moving it’s not making any money.
“If you’re late they can say ‘take it back’. They don’t take into account traffic jams or road diversions because that’s not part of your cost.
“It leaves you debating whether or not to take on these jobs, but then there's only one loser as the haulier’s not going to get paid.”
Forbes typically works away from home five days a week and sleeps in his cab, often struggling to find safe places to park.
He said: “I try not to sleep on road sides. Drivers have been approached with knives and beaten up because a gang will turn up to rob them.
“I’ve had the curtains cut with a knife so people can look inside to see the load. Both times it hasn’t been valuable enough to them but leaves damage.
“Fuel theft is also massive and you can be drained at nighttime when you’re in bed, which will leave you working for free.
“It’s getting harder to park because they keep closing truck stops and you’re paying from £30 to £48 just to park up for the night at motorway services.
“You can get washed at a proper truck stop but many services are disgusting. You generally carry wet wipes.”
The Government has announced a string of incentives to get more trucks on the road. But Forbes warned all drivers, especially those considering going self employed, to be aware of the rigorous health and safety requirements for both driver and vehicle as well as the huge cost of keeping the engine ticking.
He said: “The cost of keeping a truck on the road is sky high before you start making one pence of profit to yourself.
“It’s such a tight margin but I’m hoping putting a second lorry on the road will be worthwhile.
“A lot of older guys have quit their job and moved into other industries, but I will persevere.
“I’ve committed myself to trying to do this for the next 10 years and hopefully the conditions will get better
“If the fuel price can come down and wages go up a bit, everybody would be happy, but that will obviously have a knock on effect down the chain.
“It’s a hard job but I’m used to being away from home after working offshore all over the world.
“It’s not all negative. A good job is when you arrive, get tipped and you go. It’s all about keeping moving.
“I just hope and pray there are better conditions and times ahead for drivers and hauliers.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
