West Midlands Hire

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West Midlands Hire West Midlands Hire is a Van & Truck rental company based in Smethwick. Welcome to our page we have a range of vehicles for rental and contract hire.

For more information check out our website! www.westmidlandshire.co.uk

🎃 TRICK OR TRUCK? 🚛👻Ghosts and ghouls and things that bite,All need transport Halloween night!Witches on broomsticks? Th...
29/10/2026

🎃 TRICK OR TRUCK? 🚛👻

Ghosts and ghouls and things that bite,
All need transport Halloween night!

Witches on broomsticks? That's so last year,
They've hired a Sprinter to haul all their gear! 🚐

Dracula's coffin won't fit in his car,
So, he's rented a truck to travel afar! 🧛

And Frankenstein's monster, who's not very small,
Needs a DAF XG+ with a cab that’s tall⚡

🦇 Van rental? Truck rental? Contract hire?

We've got the wheels for your Halloween empire!

💀 NO TRICKS. JUST TRUCKS. 💀

🎃 Happy Halloween from all at West Midlands Hire

28/10/2026
28/10/2026

THE LORRY DRIVER WHO CAME FACE TO FACE WITH A GHOST!

Would you carry on driving after this?

It's the early hours of the morning. You're driving your lorry along a quiet stretch of the A4 near Corsham in Wiltshire.

The roads are deserted; the headlights are cutting through the darkness... and suddenly you spot someone walking in the road ahead.

According to a famous British ghost story, that's exactly what happened to lorry driver Laurie Newman.

As he slowed down to pass the mysterious figure, things took a terrifying turn.

The figure reportedly leapt onto the side of his lorry and stared straight through the cab window.

But instead of a face, the driver claimed he was looking directly at a GRINNING SKULL!

Moments later, the figure vanished.

Whether it was a ghost, a trick of the darkness or simply an old driver's tale, it's certainly enough to make you think twice about your next overnight journey!

This Halloween, we want to know...
Have you ever experienced anything strange or unexplained while driving?
Do you know any haunted roads in the UK?

Share your stories in the comments!

Happy Halloween from Thomas's Group

Potential nightmare for Rental Companies.
21/10/2026

Potential nightmare for Rental Companies.

IF FUEL DUTY EVENTUALLY DISAPPEARS… WHO PAYS FOR OUR ROADS?

As the UK moves towards electric vehicles, the Government faces a big question: How do we replace the billions of pounds currently collected through fuel duty?

It's a question that could have a significant impact on the future of the UK haulage industry.

The newly formed Road Pricing Coalition, which includes the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Logistics UK, is calling for commercial vehicle operators to have a say in how any future road-charging system is developed.

But what would a fair system actually look like?

Consider two very different operators:

- Operator A: A 44-tonne articulated truck covering 120,000km annually.

- Operator B: A 7.5-tonne rigid truck covering 20,000km annually.

Both use the same road network, but their mileage, vehicle weights and operating requirements are very different.

So should they pay the same rate per mile?

There are several possibilities:

* Mileage-based charging – The further you travel, the more you pay.

* Weight-based charging – Heavier vehicles pay more to reflect their potential impact on road infrastructure.

* Emissions-based charging – Cleaner vehicles benefit from lower charges.

* A combination of all three – Potentially a more tailored system, but also a more complicated one.

And what about RENTAL & CONTRACT HIRE?

If road-user charging becomes mileage-based, it could fundamentally change the way commercial vehicle rental agreements are structured.

Would charges be included in fixed monthly contract-hire payments? Would customers be billed separately for mileage? And who would be responsible for reporting and administering the charges?

For operators who value predictable monthly costs, these questions could become increasingly important.

*** To be clear, a general mileage-based road charge for HGVs has NOT been announced. However, mileage-based taxation for electric and plug-in hybrid cars is already planned from April 2028.***

At Thomas’s Group, we believe discussions like these are important for understanding how future changes could affect the businesses that rely on commercial vehicles every day.

💬 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

If fuel duty is eventually replaced, how do YOU think commercial vehicles should be charged to use UK roads?

Should it be based on mileage, weight, emissions, or a combination?

👇 Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

🔗 Read more about the Road Pricing Coalition:
https://truckingmag.co.uk/news/haulage-industry-joins-new-coalition-to-shape-future-uk-road-pricing/

13/10/2026

AUTUMN'S HERE. IS YOUR FLEET READY?

The days are getting shorter, the roads are getting wetter, and winter is just around the corner.

For truck and van operators, autumn is the ideal time to make sure your fleet is prepared for the challenges ahead.

5 THINGS EVERY FLEET OPERATOR SHOULD BE CHECKING:

1. Tyres & Tread Depth
Wet roads mean reduced grip and longer stopping distances. Check tread depth, tyre pressures and general condition. Don't just aim for the legal minimum — make sure your tyres are fit for the conditions.

2. Lights & Visibility
Dark mornings, early evenings and poor weather make working lights essential. Check headlights, brake lights, indicators and fog lights to ensure your vehicles can see and be seen.

3. Windscreens, Wipers & Washers
Rain, spray, mud and road grime can quickly reduce visibility. Inspect wiper blades, top up screenwash and check demisters are working properly.

4. Batteries & Electrical Systems
Colder temperatures can expose weaknesses in ageing batteries. A quick check now could prevent an unexpected breakdown on a freezing morning.

5. Preventative Maintenance
Small problems can quickly become expensive ones when the weather turns. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance can help keep vehicles on the road and businesses moving.

THE COST OF DOWNTIME DOESN'T STOP AT THE REPAIR BILL.

Missed deliveries, disrupted schedules, unhappy customers and replacement vehicle costs can all add up.

At Thomas's Group, we understand how important vehicle reliability is to your business. Whether you're looking for additional rental capacity, a newer vehicle or a contract hire solution with maintenance included, we're here to help keep your business moving.

Don't wait for winter to find out your fleet isn't ready!

If you would like a "No Obligation" review of your fleet set-up and costs, get in contact and we can happily assist.
Call - 0121 356 5050 or email [email protected] or visit www.thomassgroup.com

Address

Dartmouth Road
Birmingham
B661BG

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 6pm
Tuesday 7am - 6pm
Wednesday 7am - 6pm
Thursday 7am - 6pm
Friday 7am - 6pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+441215555558

Website

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