Freight moved by GB-registered trucks within the UK fell by 6% between 2007 and 2008, from 161 billion tonne-kilometres to 152 billion tonne-kilometres, according to the latest Department for Transport figures.
The drop in freight movement is set against the slight economic improvement of 1% in GDP during the same period. The recession officially started during the autumn of 2008.
The total number of road goods vehicles of all nationalities travelling to mainland Europe in 2008 was 2.8 million, 5% less than in 2007, but 38% more than in 1998.
UK-registered vehicles accounted for 19% of all powered vehicles in 2008, equivalent to 3.8 million powered vehicles, 4% less than in 2007 and 30% fewer than in 1998.
Last year, articulated vehicles over 33 tonnes continued to account for an increasing share of all goods moved as 74% of total tonne-kilometres in 2008, compared with 
66% in 1998, according to the government figures.
Half of all goods were transported on a trip of 50km or less in 2008, while 4% of goods lifted were carried more than 300km. The average length of haul in 2008 was 87km.