Lorry drivers heading south of the border are regular users of English and Welsh truckstops and lorry parks as they make deliveries and collections before returning to Scotland, writes Peter Brown.
They have added their voice to a recent survey from independent watchdog Transport Focus that revealed nearly half of truck drivers are dissatisfied with the quality and number of HGV truckstops.
Its Lorry Driver Facilities Survey found that another 50% believe facilities have got worse over the past 12 months.
Drivers revealed they often don’t feel welcome, safe or able to get a decent meal or proper rest at many truckstops.
Researchers surveyed more than 7,000 HGV drivers about their experience at a third of all motorway services, ‘A’ road services and truckstops in England. The topic was also covered on the HGV Radio Podcast featuring Transport News editor Kevin Swallow.
The remaining sites will be included in the next two years of the survey.
The Formula Truck Stop in Ellesmere Port was the most highly rated truck stop, followed by three other independent lorry parks – Skelmersdale Truckstop, Sutterton Truckstop and Junction 23 Lorry Park.
Moto dominates the bottom of the league table, taking the lowest five places with Moto Woolley Edge North last, and there are dishonourable mentions for Moto Severn View, Moto Lancaster South, Moto Birch East and Moto Chieveley.
Alex Robertson, Transport Focus chief executive, said: “Many of us take for granted our ability to use the toilet, make a hot drink and get a proper rest when we need to. But for lorry drivers, these basic needs often aren’t being met.
“Our new research shows the scale of the problem that persists and that’s why we are bringing government and industry together to develop a long-term solution so we can keep our lorries, and the people who drive them, moving safely.”
Transport Focus is calling for four key areas to be addressed:
- Better and consistent quality of services – work must be done to drive up standards and ensure consistent quality of facilities across sites.
- Parking capacity that meets demand – there should be a sustained focus on increasing parking capacity and lorry driver facilities in the right places to ensure that availability meets the growing demand.
- Safety and security for drivers and vehicles – standards must be improved, particularly at sites where there are security concerns, so that drivers and loads are safe and feel safe.
- Providing a welcoming environment – the approach of some services, which leaves lorry drivers feeling less valued than other customers, must be challenged.
Meanwhile, roads minister Lilian Greenwood has visited the ADS Truckstop in Stoke to see how it had spent its share of government funds on improving its site, including new parking bays and security measures. Owner Andy Sargent spoke about the visit on the HGV Radio Podcast.
The investment came from the DfT’s HGV parking and driver welfare grant scheme, which sees the government match fund spending by truckstop operators and MSAs to improve facilities for drivers.
From the total £43m funding, truckstops in the West Midlands will get up to £3m in joint investment for upgrades.
The DfT said this comes on top of a £26m scheme from National Highways and businesses, taking the total investment to £69m.
The ADS Truckstop invested in a new café, parking spaces, toilets, showers and security fencing. The additional parking bays should ensure fewer HGVs park in the town centre or at the side of the road.
Welcome Break has announced it is spending £1.7m to upgrade its HGV parks, including fitting modern shower blocks, security fencing and infrared CCTV systems.
Forecourt Trader reported that Ron Perry & Son’s A19 roadside service sites outside Hartlepool has received more government funding for its HGV facilities from the Department for Transport (DfT).
