Neil Chiswell

In December 2024 / January 2025, Overseas2 MinutesBy NZ Trucking magazineJanuary 31, 2025

One of the great things about travelling overseas is meeting drivers from other countries and chatting about their careers.

Mike and Alison Verran were driving into Penzance, Cornwall, UK, when Mike spotted the front of a nice-looking DAF, parked up at a distribution centre. They U-turned and went for a chat with the driver, Neil Chiswell.

Neil drives for Burcombe Haulage, based in Saltash, Cornwall. His DAF is an XG 530 6×2, carting general freight. “I carry anything from crisps to cement,” says Neil.

Neil has been driving trucks (or ‘lorries’ as they call them in the UK) for 27 years. Lorry driving has been in the family for years. “My dad was a petrol tanker driver for 40 years,” says Neil, “all I ever wanted to do was drive.”

When Mike and Alison spoke with Neil, he hadn’t been home for two weeks. “I’m heading to Land’s End next, then back to Saltash, Plymouth, to our depot. I cover all of the UK. I’m away at least five nights a week, every week.

“I love having the freedom, being out and about. You’re your own boss. It’s very chilled and relaxed.”

Being away a lot in the UK does present problems. Neil comments, “There’s a lack of driver facilities and truck stops in the UK. There’s a few, but definitely not enough. If you stay at the big ones, they are charging £30 to £40 per night ($66 to $88) to park. Then you come out and find your curtains slashed and your fuel taken.

“I try to find some off the beaten track – usually company yards where we know the owners. It’s a lot safer.”

At the end of the chat, Neil’s vexing question was: ‘If you could choose one superpower, what would that be?’ Neil answered, “To be invisible at times … in general … it would be interesting, wouldn’t it?”

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