Lockerbie Lorry Park to close

A strategically important truck stop in Scotland is to close at the end of this month, raising concerns about where HGV drivers can safely park up.

The Lockerbie Lorry Park, adjacent to the A74 and between junctions 16 and 17, has space for 160 HGVs and a 24-hour café.

In recent months it had been forced to close at weekends due to staff shortages and then it encountered difficulties taking on more staff when the site was put up for sale.

When motortransport.co.uk contacted the lorry park, its closure was confirmed but it was unable to comment further.

However, we understand that the new owners will not maintain it as a truck stop.

In a short statement on social media, the truck stop said it would “cease trading on the 28th October” and added: “Thank you for your support over the many years we have been here.”

Dozens of visitors to the site posted their condolences: “Sorry to hear this. Always had a pleasant stay with good food and friendly service,” said one. “Wishing you all the very best wishes in the future.”

Another said: “A sad loss to the industry. Always served excellent food by pleasant staff.”

The RHA said overnight parking spaces in Scotland continued to fall and key strategic areas were being left with no provision at all: “This is bad for drivers and a potential safety risk,” it added.

“The RHA calls upon the Scottish government to accelerate their audit of lorry parking spaces and commit to engaging with relevant stakeholders who can quickly address these problems.

“We will continue to push governments in Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and Cardiff to take whatever steps they can to provide more, better, safer facilities for drivers.”