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Wales Drivers to Work 11 am-7 pm Shift on Christmas Eve Amid Rising Safety Concerns

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 2:13 GMT by Wales Online

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Wales’ Drivers Face 11 am‑7 pm Shift on Christmas Eve Amid Rising Safety Concerns

A routine‑looking timetable posted by the Wales Office of the Road and Railway Authority on 24 December has sent a ripple of concern through the country’s transport community. Drivers on a number of key freight and public‑transport routes will be expected to work an eight‑hour shift that starts at 11 am and ends at 7 pm on the day before Christmas. The move, described in a brief press release, is aimed at covering a surge in holiday traffic and ensuring that essential services – from road‑haul of goods to bus routes in major towns – run smoothly through the festive period.

Why the 11 am‑7 pm Window?

The release cites the “unprecedented demand” for road freight as holiday shoppers prepare for the New Year. “During this period the volume of goods delivered to retail outlets and logistics hubs rises by up to 30 % compared with the rest of the year,” it reads. The schedule is therefore intended to align the workforce with peak periods while still allowing drivers a brief break after the first 6 hours of service. The Authority added that the shift will include a one‑hour lunch break and two 15‑minute rest periods, in line with existing duty‑time regulations.

The 11 am‑7 pm window also addresses a staffing shortfall in the wake of a recent driver strike. Transport for Wales (TfW) has confirmed that several senior drivers have taken early retirement, leaving a gap that the Authority believes can only be bridged by re‑allocating existing personnel. “We’re committed to ensuring that freight deliveries and public transport services do not suffer during the busiest period of the year,” a TfW spokesperson said.

Driver Reactions

The release has sparked a flurry of responses on social media and through the drivers’ union, the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU). “Working from 11 am to 7 pm on a holiday is no small ask,” a union spokesperson wrote on the TWU website. “Drivers deserve adequate rest and cannot be expected to operate at high risk for fatigue.” The TWU has called for a “review of the schedule and a clear policy on holiday pay and overtime.” The union’s statement linked to a policy brief issued last month by the UK Department for Transport, which outlines statutory requirements for holiday duty and overtime compensation.

One driver, who asked that he be identified only by initials, said: “I’ve been with the company for 15 years. I’m used to a lot of late nights, but this shift is a different story. I’ll be driving on a holiday, not just the next day. It’s a lot to ask of our safety.”

The TWU also highlighted that the proposed shift falls into the “daytime” duty period, which the UK’s Road Haulage Regulations define as hours 08:00 to 20:00. Under those regulations, drivers are entitled to a 45‑minute rest period after 4.5 hours of duty – a right that some drivers feel has been eroded by the new schedule. “We’re concerned that the Authority may be infringing on our statutory rights,” the union added.

Public Transport Perspective

In addition to freight, the shift will affect bus routes operated by several local councils. The Cardiff City Council’s transport office released a brief note that the 11 am‑7 pm window covers the period of highest passenger demand – the lunch and early‑afternoon rush – during which many commuters need to travel to holiday markets and shopping centers. “We understand the need for extra services,” a council spokesperson said, “but we will ensure that all drivers receive the required breaks and compensation.”

A local news segment from the BBC Wales newsroom highlighted that some smaller bus operators have already begun re‑organizing their schedules. “If you’re an operator, you can shift certain routes to late evening or early morning to keep drivers rested,” said one operator, who declined to be named. “It’s all about balancing the service with safety.”

Official Guidance and Legal Framework

The Authority’s notice referenced the UK’s Working Time Regulations 1998, which stipulate a minimum 11‑hour rest period between working days and a 24‑hour rest period over 7 days. The notice clarified that drivers will receive a 12‑hour rest period after the 7 pm shift to satisfy the minimum rest requirement. However, critics argue that the additional rest period will be difficult to enforce given the logistics involved in transporting perishable goods.

A link in the Authority’s release led to a government advisory published earlier this year on “Managing Driver Fatigue and Safe Working Hours.” The advisory outlines best practice for scheduling drivers, including a maximum of 8 hours of continuous driving and a minimum of 30 minutes rest after every 4 hours. The guidance also stresses that holiday shifts should be accompanied by increased pay and stricter rest enforcement.

Looking Forward

The news of the 11 am‑7 pm shift has prompted a call for a “transparent dialogue” between the Authority, transport operators, and drivers’ representatives. A meeting has already been scheduled for 31 December, where officials will review the operational feasibility and safety implications of the proposed schedule.

While the Authority remains committed to meeting the holiday demand, it has pledged to monitor driver well‑being closely. “We’re not making any changes without considering the welfare of our drivers,” the Authority’s spokesperson said in an email response. “Our goal is to keep traffic flowing and keep our roads safe.”

For those in Wales who rely on public transport or have business logistics needs during the holiday period, the key takeaway is that service changes will be implemented but with an eye toward maintaining safety standards. Drivers, meanwhile, are urged to read their contracts carefully and to engage with their unions if they feel the schedule threatens their health or violates statutory duties.

As the holiday season approaches, both drivers and passengers alike will watch the evolving situation closely, hoping that the balance between service provision and safety is maintained.