UNIONS have condemned a relaxation of safety rules restricting lorry drivers’ working hours as both dangerous and pointless.

Transport and distribution unions Unite and Usdaw said that the government’s move, announced via Twitter, would not address a shortage of heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers estimated at more than 75,000 – indeed, it could make the problem worse as exhaustion causes drivers to quit.

The decision to “allow” drivers temporarily to work shifts of 10 hours rather than nine, plus up to two 11-hour stints per week, from next Monday was described as a “sticking plaster” by the bosses’ Road Haulage Association (RHA).