Q and A with haulage driver Josh Hughes.

Q: Have you always liked trucks, Josh?

A: I’ve always been around trucks and have loved them ever since I can remember. I was moving them around yards by the age of 12. Flash forward to me now at 25, and I’ve held my class 1 licence for over six years!

Q: What got you into driving?

A: My uncle is an HGV fitter, so when I was younger I would go to work with him and help pass tools and parts. Also, my Dad has been a tramper for many years and I used to enjoy going along with him during the school summer holidays.

Q: What’s the best bit of the job?

A: I love a good challenge! My job, moving scrap and waste all over the country, isn’t easy. If you manage to go a couple of days without having a puncture you are doing well! The landfills are a very good experience, driving a 44 tonne truck through places you wouldn’t drive your 4x4.

The best memories are normally at the truck shows. That’s one thing I always look forward to.

Q: Is there anything you don’t enjoy as much?

A:  My least favourite part of the job would be getting towed across the landfill – the machines pulling me along manage to plough through almost anything, whilst my truck and trailer are getting a battering from the rubbish underneath. It’s nothing for a mud flap to be ripped off the back of the truck! But again, it’s nature of the job and there’s nothing we can do about it.

Q: Could you tell us a little about the truck you’re driving at the moment?

A: I currently drive a 2017 Mercedes Arocs 2548 StreamSpace. It has a rear tag lift axle, with single axle drive, and a high mounted cab and chassis. The truck is fully loaded with light bars, alloy wheels, fridge, air conditioning, TV and other accessories. It also has an airbrushing of the Mercedes Petronas F1 team on the back of the cab.

Q: Do you have a favourite feature of your cab?

A: The best thing about this truck is the flat floor. The amount of room you have gained without that normal hump makes a big difference. It’s also a lot easier to move around the cab and to keep everywhere clean.

Q: And finally, what is your must-have item in the cab when you are out on the road?

A: One thing I must have for my long journeys is a good source of music. I stream music off my phone via the Bluetooth to the radio, so I can have a little singalong along the way and it always makes me happy.