A UK haulage firm, Ian Robinson Transport Limited, is facing potential closure after a petition to wind up the business was filed, marking another blow to the freight industry this summer. The petition was published in the London Gazette on July 10, 2026, following 16 years of operation since its founding in 2010.
Company Background and Fleet Details
Ian Robinson started the haulage company with just one truck, and it has since grown to operate over 20 vehicles. The fleet includes a range of models from 44-tonne trucks to flat-bed and box trailers. The company specializes in general haulage but also transports hazardous waste materials, with drivers trained in ADR (dangerous goods) and equipped with relevant safety gear.
The firm operates from two yards: its main base in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire, and a secondary yard in St Helens, Merseyside.
Financial Struggles and Fuel Costs
Ian Robinson Transport Limited has previously struggled with rising fuel costs, implementing a fuel surcharge on invoices from March 14, 2022. As of early 2025, customers were paying 5% more for services due to the surcharge. The company noted that fuel is “one of [the] biggest overheads over which we have no direct control.”
The Road Haulage Association has warned that rising fuel costs could impact many firms, with hundreds of businesses potentially at risk.
Implications of the Winding-Up Petition
Filing a petition to wind up a company is a legal application to the court seeking liquidation of an insolvent firm. This usually forces the business to cease operations so its assets can be sold. There is no information yet on potential job cuts or the impact on employees.
Express.co.uk has contacted Ian Robinson Transport Limited for comment.
