IN RESPONSE to emergency legislation to allow for the allocation of 29 potential sites for lorry parks across the UK, Chris Yarsley, Logistics UK’s policy manager for road infrastructure, commented: ‘These sites are essential to keep disruption on UK roads to a minimum in the post-transition period, and for keeping trade moving across borders.
‘We have been urging the government to ensure that drivers will have access to facilities, such as toilets and showers and are pleased to see that the Order includes a provision for welfare facilities.
‘However, we urge the government to ensure that the sites are placed in appropriate locations – for example, away from unsuitable roads and low bridges. And while the lorry parks are likely to be a temporary solution as new systems, processes and demands are embedded post-Brexit, it is important that the authorities remain mindful of local businesses and residents, with road disruption to be kept to a minimum.
‘Logistics UK is also calling on the government to ensure that the sites are staffed with qualified officials to get a vehicle ‘border ready’ if the driver does not have the full paperwork required; this will be essential to keep traffic moving,’ stressed Chris Yarsley.
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