Lockerbie Lorry Park has confirmed that it will close on October 28, after its new owners decided not to keep the facility open.
The park, sited adjacent to the A74 between junctions 16 and 17, much used by drivers crossing the border between England and Scotland. It had 160 parking spaces, a 24-hour café, a shop and shower and changing facilities. In addition, the site contained a function suite with licenced bar.
The lorry park had been experiencing issues for some time. It had had to close at weekends due to a shortage of staff. Then when the site was up for sale, it became more difficult to recruit new employees.
New owners, James Jones & Sons Ltd, a forest products company, have confirmed the closure, with the loss of 24 jobs.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Lockerbie Lorry Park bar manager Lisa Twiname, said the staff were “devastated” at the news, but was worried about what would happen to the trucks that usually park there. “Where are they [trucks] going to go now?” she said. “Other lorry parks will not be able to take in the extra volume. The laybys around here are full every night as it is.”
The Road Haulage Association expressed its concern that the number of overnight parking spaces for trucks in Scotland is continuing to fall, leaving key strategic areas without parking provision, which presents a safety risk for drivers.
The RHA called on the Scottish Government to commit to engaging with stakeholders to address these problems quickly.
