A report has found that lorry drivers are dissatisfied with the quality and locations of truckstops citing security as the main concern, writes Peter Brown.
Transport Focus, an independent watchdog for transport users, has published its Lorry Drivers’ Facilities Survey – Year 2 Summary Report, which highlights a growing gap between individual site satisfaction and broader perceptions of the network.
It is a gap, explained director Louise Collins, driven by variability in parking availability, security, and the quality of amenities.
She said: “Truckstops continue to lead the way, consistently scoring high for satisfaction, but other sites, such as motorway service areas (MSAs), show wide disparities, with some falling far below acceptable standards. Consistency matters—variability in standards is a problem that impacts drivers every day.”
Security is a critical concern. “Our latest findings show a strong link between how secure drivers feel and their ability to rest,” she added. “Nine out of 10 drivers who rated vehicle security as good also felt able to rest or sleep well.
“By contrast, fewer than four in 10 felt they could rest when they perceived vehicle security to be poor.”
The National and Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service reports that freight crime cost UK hauliers £111.5 million in 2024.
The report also highlighted a strong link between scores for vehicle and personal security with 95% of those who rated vehicle security as good also rated their personal security as good, compared to just 16% among those who rated vehicle security as poor.
“These powerful statistics underscore just how deeply perceptions of safety impact driver wellbeing,” she continued.
“Driving HGVs is a safety-critical role; improving facilities is not just about driver welfare but about protecting everyone who uses the road network.”
The report reflected wider challenges, she said, such as recruitment and retention amid an aging workforce. “Recent government data shows that 24% of HGV businesses reported driver vacancies in late 2024, with many drivers either leaving the industry or retiring,” she revealed.
“Since our first survey, the Department for Transport and National Highways have begun delivering up to £69.5 million in joint government and industry funding to improve lorry parking and driver welfare facilities across England.”
She said there are positive examples of innovation and commitment from site operators and industry partners but as perceptions among drivers show, ‘there is still work to do’.
“We cannot afford to be complacent,” she added. “Continued focus and collaboration are essential – not only to support lorry drivers themselves but to sustain the vital flow of goods that underpins our economy and daily lives.”
In response, the head of road freight and English regions policy at Logistics UK Maddi Solloway-Price said: “The survey reinforces everything Logistics UK has been highlighting regarding driver facilities: a shortage of safe, high-quality rest facilities is contributing to poor health, rising freight crime and increasing difficulties in recruiting and retaining drivers across the logistics sector.
“We are calling for a national review of the availability of rest facilities for logistics workers, and for truck stops to be incorporated into planning frameworks.
“In addition, there needs to be a specific crime code introduced for freight crime to enable better data collection and appropriate sentencing. Those driving freight around the country, and further afield, must have access to the same hygiene and rest facilities afforded to those who work in offices, shops and factories – to expect them to be unable to access safe, clean and secure places to rest and eat during and at the end of a working day is unacceptable.”
RHA managing director Richard Smith said, ‘more safe and secure parking remains one of our key priorities, and we’ve made some headway over the last couple of years through campaigning for government funding and planning reform’.
“We must prioritise driver wellbeing. Truckers deserve to feel, and to be, safe out on the road. No one should go to work fearing they could be robbed or worse.
“Having access to decent toilets, showers and food choices when they pitch up for the night shouldn’t be too much to ask either. Yet as this report reminds us, there’s a long way to go.”
