GovWire

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, Lilian Greenwood, will see wide range of improvements at the ADS Truckstop in Stoke, which include new parking bays, a new caf, 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 ministers 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, Lilian Greenwood 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 Smith 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 DfTsHGV 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 dont feel welcome, safe or able to get a decent meal or proper rest at truckstops.

Thats 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.