Lorry drivers are continuing to benefit from more parking, secure
rest areas and better restaurants and showers thanks to up to £43
million in department and industry funding.
Future of Roads Minister, , will see wide range of
improvements at the ADS Truckstop in Stoke, which include new
parking bays, a new café, security fencing, new toilets and
showers, on a visit to mark National Lorry Week today (7 November
2024).
The measures have been made possible thanks to a joint investment
of up to £43 million from the department and industry to improve
truckstops in England and boost working conditions for lorry
drivers.
From the funding, truckstops in the West Midlands are benefiting
from up to £3 million in joint investment from the department and
industry which will upgrade 10 local lorry parking facilities.
These measures from the department comes on top of a further
joint £26 million from National Highways and industry, taking
total funding to improve truckstops to approximately £69 million.
The minister's visit to Stoke celebrates National Lorry Week,
which in its tenth anniversary will showcase the crucial work of
lorry drivers, shining a spotlight on skills, careers and
opportunities in the industry and the vital role haulage plays in
delivering economic growth.
The joint investment from the department, National Highways and
industry will help get the country back on track for growth. It
will improve working conditions for lorry drivers and attract
more brilliant people to a career in the sector, supporting jobs,
strengthening our supply chain, and growing the economy.
Future of Roads Minister, said:
Lorry drivers keep our economy moving. It is only right they
enjoy safe rest areas, easily available parking, and modern
facilities as we showcase their importance during National Lorry
Week.
Our joint funding with industry will ensure that lorry parking
facilities like ADS Truckstop can make the improvements that
lorry drivers deserve, and we will continue working closely with
the sector to improve working conditions, support jobs, and get
us back to growth.
The additional parking bays at ADS Truckstop will ensure less
lorries park in the town centre or on the side of busy roads,
helping tackle local congestion across Stoke.
With too many drivers forced to park in unprotected laybys where
they are often victims of theft, the new security fencing at ADS
Truckstop will provide new secure spaces for lorry drivers to
park where they can feel safe and sleep with greater peace of
mind.
New welfare facilities will also provide drivers with better
rest, better showers, and healthier meals, so they can drive
safely and with confidence.
RHA Managing
Director, Richard said:
We are delighted that lorry drivers are starting to feel the
benefit of the government funding to improve roadside facilities.
This is warmly welcomed by our industry and will help improve the
welfare and retention of drivers. This funding is crucial for
upgrading facilities, improving security, and increasing parking
capacity at truck stops across England.
The funding comes from the DfT's HGV parking and driver welfare grant
scheme, which is helping to drive improvement to lorry
parking capacity, driver welfare facilities such as new
restaurants, toilets and showers, security for drivers through
better fencing and CCTV.
Chief Executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, Alex
Robertson said:
Continued investment in lorry driver facilities is vital to keep
the economy going, help fill supermarkets shelves across the
country and get medical supplies to hospitals. Many of us take
for granted our ability to get a proper break when we need to.
Lorry drivers tell us they still often don't feel welcome, safe
or able to get a decent meal or proper rest at truckstops.
That's why Transport Focus is bringing the public and private
sector together at an industry roundtable to develop a long-term
solution so we can keep our lorries, and the people who drive
them, moving safely.
