Roads Minister, Richard Holden joined Transport Focus, the RHA and Logistics UK at an event to highlight delivering truck stop improvements for lorry drivers.
Transport Focus has been surveying drivers on what they want from their rest stops. Secure parking with good toilet and washing facilities as well as food provision were the top responses. Many of those surveyed were highly critical of existing rest stops including motorway service areas – complaining they were potential crime victims because of poor security, with inadequate lavatory facilities and very little good food.
You can read the full findings here.
The event was held at one of the UK’s highest-rated truck stops, ‘Hollies Truckstop’ in Cannock, Staffordshire.
Roads Minister, Richard Holden said: “It’s a must for truck stops to offer a good standard and good prices.” He added that government money was on the table to improve facilities and security – including better showers, toilets, food, and capacity. He said it was “essential for the smooth functioning of the economy,” while admitting planning permission refusal was a problem which he described as “unacceptable”, something the government is “determined to speed up”.
Several truckers have been giving their verdict on truck stops. One said: “Good showers and toilets are most important, then food,” another said: “Good truck stops are few and far between”.
Logistics UK Chief Executive, David Wells said: “Ourselves and the RHA have been banging on about this for ages – we need to ensure real change now.”
The RHA’s Rod McKenzie said the government needs to urgently address both planning permission and to make truck stop installation essential for all new road projects. “Truckers deserve safe and secure parking – not least protection from the growing fear of crime at truck stops, as well as the basic human right of toilets and food.”
