The government needs to take action to ensure more truck parking places are created on the strategic road network, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said.
A year ago, roads minister Jesse Norman committed to increase the number of parking spaces on the road network but, 12 months on, a survey has revealed that the majority of drivers believe the situation has got worse, rather than better.
The FTA surveyed its members on parking provision and more than half felt provision had deteriorated and over 70% said the lack of available spaces for parking is the biggest issue facing them during their working day – a shortage which often causes friction with local residents and businesses when drivers are forced to stop away from secure parking areas in laybys, industrial estates and the like.
Now, the FTA is urging the government to take immediate action to protect the health and wellbeing of drivers. Despite writing twice to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to ask them what they are doing to deliver additional spaces, FTA has received no reply.
Elizabeth de Jong, Director of UK Policy at FTA, said: “In an industry where you are compelled by law to take regular breaks and rest, it is vital that government is pressing forward with its stated intention to improve and expand the provision of facilities for those charged with keeping Britain trading.
“No other industry would be expected to operate in such conditions, and it is now down to government to deliver on its promises.
“No logistics operator wants to be parking on industrial estates, in laybys or on public roads. But often this is the only option as a result of no available alternative parking. London and the South East were the two areas identified as having the biggest shortfall in spaces, but the problem is prevalent nationwide.
“We want government to deliver its promises to professional drivers to provide the sort of safe, secure and appropriate rest areas which the industry needs so that we can continue to deliver what the nation needs, as and when necessary.
“A year on from Mr Norman’s commitment, it is now time for action – the nation’s HGV drivers deserve a break.”
The Department for Transport’s own National Survey of Lorry Parking identified that there is an immediate need for more than 1,411 parking spaces across the country to enable drivers to take their legally mandated rest breaks without concerns for security and safety.
In the South East, 37% more overnight parking spaces are required immediately to cover the requirements of Britain’s logistics sector.
