Your guide to HGV driver jobs in Somerset, Cornwall, Dorset and Devon (and Hampshire!)
Being an HGV Driver in the South West has plenty of benefits that you won’t get in other parts of the UK. Beautiful countryside, a relaxed approach to life, amazing beaches, and unique industries offering unusual jobs.
These are just some of the great advantages we enjoy down here, and it’s no surprise that so many people would love to live and work here.
To help you decide if the South West is right for you, here’s a detailed overview of each of our counties, including:
- The types of industries you’ll be working with
- The driver jobs and HGV skillsets required
- The unique challenges in each area
HGV driver jobs in Cornwall
Economy and Industry
Cornwall is best known as a tourist hotspot with over 5 million visitors each year. Keeping all of those visitors fed and watered, along with all the subsequent constructions and maintenance projects, can play a big part in an HGV driver’s working week.
But Cornwall also has other thriving industries, including fishing, agriculture, mining, and aviation. In fact, Newquay has been earmarked as a future UK Space Port providing ‘horizontal lift’ satellite launch services within the next decade.
Of course, logistics plays a vital role in all of these industries.
Driver skill sets
HGV Class 1 & 2, HIAB, Tanker, Forklift and Van drivers are always sought for distribution, deliveries and more across all of the above industries.
Pros and Cons
Driving in Cornwall can certainly present a few challenges. We don’t have the motorway networks of other regions, so being confident on smaller roads and in tight spaces is a must. If you can’t reverse, Cornwall is not for you! The weather can turn nasty quite quickly here too, with big storms barrelling straight off the Atlantic.
You’ll also need to have a fair amount of patience in Summer, as the tourists (bless ‘em) tend to clog up the country roads, leading to long tail-backs and delays.
Cornwall Branch
17 Callywith Gate Ind. Est.,
Launceston Road,
Bodmin, PL31 2RQ
Tel. 01208 811200 / 01872 491 411
cornwall@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
HGV driver jobs in Devon
Economy and Industry
Devon is also a big tourist destination, with a large agriculture sector, but much of its industry revolves around its 2 major cities: Plymouth and Exeter.
Exeter is the home of Connaught plc, and Pennon Group, the water company. Meanwhile the Wrigley Company (chewing gum) and HMNB Devonport (the largest naval base in western Europe) are in Plymouth.
Devon is also home to some major retail brands such as Jack Wills, Salcombe Gin and Beverage Brands, the producers of WKD Original Vodka.
Almost 50% of the Duchy of Cornwall can be found in Devon, a major local food producer.
Playing host to two medium-sized cities, plus a number of quarries and mining works means Devon’s construction sector is fairly strong, too.
Driver skill sets
As a major national retail food producing county, our Devon based branches often require HGV Class 1 & 2 – Food Caged, Palletised and Store deliveries. For the construction side of things, a HIAB ticket is always a good one to have.
We specialise in a number of driving skillsets, such as RoRo and ADR and can offer development training on Forklift and HIAB to help increase earnings.
Pros and Cons
Devon’s roads can be narrow, winding, occasionally wet and very muddy, and prone to traffic jams, especially during holiday periods.
If that doesn’t bother you, then there really isn’t anything negative to add. It’s a lovely part of the world!
Devon Branches
Plymouth Branch/Backline Training
Unit 1 Alder Court,
Bell Close,
Plympton,
Plymouth,
Devon PL7 4JH
Tel: 01752 336667 or 01752 348835
plymouth@backlinelogistics.co.uk
training@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
Exeter Branch
Meridian House
Retail Park Close,
Marsh Barton,
Exeter, EX2 8LG
Tel: 01392 217277
Email: exeter@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
Exeter Outbase Branch
Mushroom Road
Hill Barton Business Park,
Clyst St Mary,
Nr Exeter, EX5 1DR
Tel: 01395 239305
outbase@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
HGV driver jobs in Dorset
Economy and Industry
Tourism is the major driver in the economy of Dorset, followed by Agriculture, Fishing, Manufacturing and Defence.
Major local employers include: BAE Systems, Sunseeker International, J.P. Morgan, Cobham plc and Bournemouth University.
There are no motorways in Dorset. Instead, 2 major A Roads cross the county: The A35 and A303.
Driver skill sets
The team in Dorset are always keen to hear from people with HGV Class 1, HGV Class 2, HIAB or ADR experience. Current certificates aren’t essential as we can offer training to match the roles we have available at the time.
Pros and Cons
So, did we mention there’s no motorway?
Dorset is a rural county and that’s perfect for relaxing after a long week’s work. However, as an HGV driver in these parts, you’ll have to contend with a limited road network.
Delivering wide loads down narrow A-Roads takes skill, calm nerves, and a fair amount of patience. The roads can get very clogged, with the A35 in particular becoming easily congested.
Dorset Branch
Christchurch (Bournemouth)
Oakland House, Building 420,
Aviation Business Park ,
Christchurch,
Dorset
BH23 6NX
Tel: 01202 402550
Email: christchurch@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
HGV driver jobs in Somerset
Economy and Industry
The largest employment sectors in Somerset are retail, manufacturing, tourism, and health and social care. However, much of the economic activity here is driven by Bristol and Gloucester, which border Somerset on the West and North edges of the county.
Both major ports, with major road networks to match, these two cities are responsible for much of the logistics activities taking place.
Driver skill sets
HIAB skills are in high demand here, du to much of the nature of the work. There’s also a large demand for other specific skill-set work such as skips, tippers, mixers, pallets, and RoRo. In addition, we work with Skilled and Industrial positions including Pickers and Packers, and Forklift Drivers.
Pros and Cons
With the M4 and M5 linking Somerset to the industrial heartlands of the South East and West Midlands, Somerset is certainly more connected than the other counties on this guide but remember that it is still a very rural county, with all that it can entail.
Expect Bristol and Gloucester to draw you in when working here as they are such big economic drivers (excuse the pun!). Whether you want the quiet life or a bit more of a city buzz, it can provide a nice balance between the two.
Somerset Branches
Yeovil Branch
Unit 2 Plot 13 Brympton Way
Lynx West Trading Estate
Yeovil
BA20 2HP
Tel: 01935 478866
Email: yeovil@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
Bridgwater Branch
Unit 7 Crossways Road,
Thistle Park,
Bridgwater,
Somerset,TA6 6LS
Tel: 01278 433833
bridgwater@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
See also:
Bristol Avonmouth Branch
Unit 16,
West Town Rd,
Avonbank Industrial Estate,
Avonmouth,
Bristol, BS11 9DE
Tel: 01179 827235
avonmouth@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
HGV driver jobs in Hampshire
Economy and Industry
Hampshire is one of the most affluent counties in the UK, with low unemployment. The economy is driven by maritime, agriculture and tourism.
The M3 motorway runs through the county, connecting London and the southeast to the southwest, from the edge of the New Forest near Southampton, to the M25 London orbital motorway.
Hampshire has many busy towns and cities, including Southampton, Plymouth and Winchester.
Driver skill sets
With goods flowing between Hampshire’s ports, London and the South West, there is always a demand for HGC Class 1 & 2 drivers.
Pros and Cons
Connecting London and the south coast makes Hampshire a lively place to work, with plenty of jobs and a buoyant economy.
Our two branches are Winchester and Andover Outbase, our strategic logistics hub, are both busy branches with friendly teams who will be happy to help with any job enquiries you have.
Hampshire Branches
Andover Outbase
Plots 23 & 24
North Way
Walworth Business Park
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 5LH
Tel: 01264 883913
Email: andover@backlinelogistics.co.uk
Contact Branch
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