Load types
Time-Critical and Emergency Freight Transport
When a line has stopped or a delivery has been missed, the freight goes on a dedicated vehicle that carries nothing else and drives direct. We source the nearest suitable vehicle and confirm an ETA before you commit.
Best suited to
When this option is the right one
- Production line stoppages and breakdown spares
- Missed or failed deliveries needing recovery the same day
- Documents, samples and prototypes with a hard deadline
- Site materials required before a work window closes
- Out-of-hours, weekend and overnight movements
Pricing
What the price depends on
- Distance and drive time, including repositioning the vehicle
- Vehicle size required for the consignment
- Time of day, weekends and out-of-hours running
- Whether two drivers are needed for long distances
- Waiting time at collection or delivery
How quickly a vehicle can be with you
In the North West a suitable vehicle is often on site within one to two hours of confirmation. Elsewhere in the UK it depends on where the nearest available vehicle is; we tell you the realistic collection time before you commit, rather than promising a window that cannot be met.
Direct running and driver hours
A time-critical job is a dedicated run: your freight is the only thing on the vehicle and it travels straight to the delivery point. On longer distances drivers' hours regulations may make a double-manned vehicle the only way to hit the deadline, and we will say so up front rather than after the vehicle is loaded.
Keeping you informed
You get a named coordinator, confirmation once the vehicle is loaded, progress updates during the run and immediate notification of anything that could affect the ETA. Signed proof of delivery, including delivery time, follows the drop.
Related services
Services that cover this load type
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How fast can you collect?
Around Manchester and Stockport, typically within one to two hours of confirmation. Further afield it depends on vehicle availability in that area, which we confirm before booking.
Do you run out of hours and at weekends?
Yes. Evening, overnight and weekend movements are arranged regularly. Out-of-hours running is priced differently from a weekday job, and we confirm the rate before the vehicle moves.
Is a same-day job always a dedicated vehicle?
Yes. The vehicle carries your consignment only and travels direct, which is what makes the timing predictable.
Can you deliver to a factory that is closed when the driver arrives?
Only where a named contact will receive the goods. Tell us about gatehouse procedures, out-of-hours contacts and site access so the delivery is not turned away.
What does urgent transport cost?
More than a planned booking, because the vehicle is dedicated and often repositions empty to reach you. The trade-off is usually cheaper than the cost of a stopped line.
Do you cover Europe on an urgent basis?
Yes, by dedicated van or vehicle to and from mainland Europe, subject to crossing availability and customs formalities being ready.
Not sure which option fits?
Send the postcodes, pallet count, dimensions and weight and our Stockport planning team will price the sensible options side by side.