Government pledges £20m to improve roadside facilities for HGV drivers

An extra 11,000 safe and secure parking spaces across the UK are needed to plug a security shortfall for HGV drivers, according to the RHA.

The figure came as the government announced it was spending £20m on improving roadside facilities, as part of attempts to boost driver welfare and tackle the driver shortage.

The cash will go specifically towards improving security, showers and eating facilities as well as exploring increasing parking spaces for lorry drivers.

Roadside service operators are being encouraged to apply for the multi-million-pound fund immediately.

Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto hospitality said: “This announcement is a welcome boost for the UK’s hardworking HGV drivers and the sector.

“We look forward to making an application to this £20 million fund, which would allow us to accelerate our plans for enhanced security and increase the physical number of showers we can offer.”

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The RHA welcomed the investment but said more needed to be done to increase parking provision: “This is encouraging news for our drivers who often tell us about poor facilities on the road but there’s a long way to go,” said Tom Cornwell, RHA lead for infrastructure and operator licencing.

“We believe we need an extra 11,000 safe and secure parking spaces and we’re determined to tackle that shortfall by working with government, industry and officials.”

Logistics UK described the funding as a “positive step for industry” and it encouraged roadside service operators to apply for funding “urgently”.

Mags Simpson, Logistics UK’s head of policy engagement, said: “Logistics UK members have previously cited the lack of available lorry parking and suitable roadside facilities as one of the main barriers to recruitment and as a result, an increase in funding for this vital sector of the economy is much welcomed news.

“It is vital that these key workers, who are charged with keeping the nation stocked with all its required goods, have a safe place to take these breaks, where they are also able to make use of much needed bathroom and catering facilities.”