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lorry drivers to benefit from better roadside facilities,
backed by up to £100 million investment from industry and
government
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operators of truck-stops and roadside services can now bid
for a portion of £52.5 million in government investment to
match-fund improvements to driver facilities
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investment is part of the government’s 33 actions to improve
HGV parking and boost drivers’ welfare – helping to support
recruitment and tackle the HGV driver shortage
Lorry drivers will benefit from improved and safer rest areas and
roadside facilities thanks to up to £100 million investment from
industry and government, the Roads Minister has announced today (24
November 2022).
From today, truck-stop and road
service operators can bid for a share of the £32.5 million
match-funding pot from the government. This is in addition to
the £20 million match-funding launched earlier this year from
National Highways to improve roadside facilities and security for
lorry drivers.
Minister Holden will launch the funding at the Red Lion Truckstop
in Northamptonshire today which aims to improve security measures
for drivers, boost welfare facilities like showers, rest areas
and restaurants, and increase HGV parking capacity where
possible.
The move is part of the government’s comprehensive 33 actions to address the
shortage of HGV drivers and boost recruitment and retention.
Roads Minister said:
Hauliers and drivers are critical to keep our economy motoring.
But for decades, our truckers have had a raw deal when it comes
to decent roadside facilities.
This is why I’m so proud that our government is going to provide
match funding support to the industry to boost drivers’ welfare,
safeguard road safety and make sure driving an HGV is a really
attractive career option by providing the facilities and respect
our lorry drivers deserve.
The funding scheme draws on ‘The National Survey on
Lorry Parking: Part One’ which provides important evidence as
to what improvements are needed and where to boost the nation’s
roadside infrastructure.
The industry is responsible for providing roadside parking and
welfare facilities for hauliers, and the department is committed
to help the sector achieve the government’s long-term objectives
of improving driver welfare, boosting drivers’ security, and
safeguarding road safety.
With hauliers required to take mandatory breaks and rest periods,
building better roadside facilities will improve the quality of
HGV drivers’ rest and recovery, ensuring everyone can feel safe
on our roads.
The government’s 33 actions to support Britain’s haulage sector
include making 11,000 HGV driver training places
available through Skills Bootcamps, boosting the number
of HGV driver tests, and launching our Future of
Freight plan to encourage millions of people to kickstart an
exciting career in logistics.
As a result, new HGV drivers are taking and passing
their driving test in record numbers. Between March 2022 and May
2022, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) carried out
29,384 HGV tests – 54% more than the corresponding
period in 2019 before the pandemic.
National Highways Customer Experience Director, Pete Martin,
said:
We continue to work closely with operators of roadside facilities
to help improve the standard of parking and other amenities they
provide on motorways and major A-roads and are excited to see the
results of this investment.
We want all road users to reach their destination safely and
encourage everyone, from those who drive as a profession through
to people travelling on holiday or for leisure purposes, to plan
ahead before setting off and to take regular breaks.
Director of Policy at Logistics UK, Kate Jennings , said:
Logistics UK’s members and their employees deserve access to
hygiene and rest facilities enjoyed by workers in other parts of
the economy, and it is good news that funding is becoming
available to help improve the quality and safety of amenities
already in place - a swift resolution will now be needed to
ensure that the shortfall of lorry parking and necessary
facilities can be constructed and opened to support our key
workers in the course of their daily travels.
A spokesperson from SNAP, who run a smart payment system for
Drivers and Fleet Operators, said:
Enhancing driver welfare and ensuring that hauliers have
somewhere clean and secure to park their vehicles is a leading
priority of our business - and the £52.5m government funding is a
vital step in giving drivers the facilities they deserve.
DfT has SNAP’s ongoing support on their mission to improve driver
facilities - with SNAP Access & Security aiming to assist by
securing HGV locations through industry-leading security
packages.
