An increasing number of drivers are dissatisfied with the quality and availability of lorry parking facilities, with fewer than 40% feeling they could rest when security is poor, according to a report.
The survey of more than 13,000 HGV drivers highlighted a strong connection between drivers’ ability to rest and how safe they feel.
Nine in ten drivers who rated vehicle security as good also reported being able to rest properly. By contrast, fewer than four in ten felt they could rest when they perceived security to be poor.
Vehicle security satisfaction scores vary widely between sites on the network, from 25% to 99%.
Recent investment from the Department for Transport (DfT) and National Highways has brought renewed interest in improving lorry drivers’ facilities, prioritising security alongside parking capacity and driver welfare.
However, Transport Focus, which produced the report, said there was still more to do. Its survey found that just under two thirds of drivers were dissatisfied with the number and quality of available sites in the UK, a slight increase in dissatisfaction compared with last year.
The Unite union said the results showed that the talking and analysis over driver facilities had to end and investment and finding solutions needed to happen now: “Lorry drivers are all too aware of the problem, what they need to see is action in improving and expanding facilities, the hand wringing needs to end,” said Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.
“The buck stops with employers; they need to be doing far more to resolve the problem.
“They talk a lot about driver welfare, but their main concern is their bottom line and boosting their profits.”
Logistics UK said Transport Focus’ findings reinforced everything it had highlighted about the dire state of affairs.
Maddi Solloway-Price, head of road freight and English regions policy, said: “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.
“There are many fantastic truck stops already operating, and we are starting to see more investment, which is a move in the right direction.
“However, more still needs to be done, and fast, if we are to address long term dissatisfaction among drivers and attract new talent to the industry.”
Exelby Services said it had used matched funding from the DfT to help it make improvements at its Coneygarth site, including additional parking and upgrading security: “Collaboration between government and industry makes a real difference, complementing the investments many operators are already making to raise standards,” said MD Rob Exelby.
