Increasing availability of secure lorry parking is vital for driver wellbeing, freight crime reduction and road safety, the Government has been told.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) recently attended an HGV Parking Standards roundtable with DfT officials, where they discussed improving standards for truck parking facilities to make the industry more appealing for new and existing drivers.
Ashton Cull, the RHA’s public affairs manager, said drivers deserved to have access to safe and secure parking – and better roadside facilities.
He said: “This is not just a question of the working conditions of key economic workers – this is also about the perceptions of the industry, reducing freight crime, and ultimately, road safety.”
The RHA estimates that there’s a shortage of 11,000 safe and secure lorry parking spaces, and says a lack of secure, high quality roadside facilities is detrimental to the road haulage industry and UK economy in several significant ways.
While improved standards across the country are vital, the RHA says it is ‘only part of the picture’.
It is also calling on the Government to work with industry to amend planning guidance and identify areas in greatest need of more lorry parking.
Ashton Cull added: “Action to improve standards must go hand in hand with action to increase the number of spaces if it is going to have any real effect.”
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