Freight Transport Association (FTA), one of the UK’s biggest business groups, is urging the government to follow through on its promise made two years ago today to provide safe parking spaces for those charged with keeping goods moving throughout the pandemic and beyond: HGV drivers. Two years after the government pledge, FTA’s members report provision has not improved, and many are forced to take their rest breaks in unsafe locations with inadequate welfare, hygiene and sanitation facilities.
The COVID-19 outbreak has brought home how vital lorry drivers are to society and the economy; they are working tirelessly, and bravely, to provide the goods the nation needs to get through the pandemic. Yet the government fails to provide them with even the most basic provision: secure, safe places to park during their rest periods with access to adequate welfare, hygiene and sanitation facilities. No other industry would be expected to operate in such conditions; the government has no excuse not to deliver on its promises” – Chris Yarsley, Policy Manager for Road Infrastructure at FTA, said.
The Department for Transport’s National Survey of Lorry Parking identified that there is an immediate need for more than 1,411 parking spaces across the country, to enable drivers to take their legally mandated rest breaks without concerns for security and safety. In the South East alone, 37% more overnight parking spaces are required to meet basic demand.
This shortfall of parking spaces is forcing drivers to take their rest periods in unsafe, undesirable locations, such as industrial estates, in laybys or on public roads. In an industry where you are compelled by law to take regular breaks and rest, adequate provision to do so must be provided. Two years on from the commitment made by ex-Road Minister, Jesse Norman MP, we need
More than 4,000 cargo thefts in 2019
Cargo thefts from supply chains in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) more than doubled to 8,548 incidents in 2019 and involved losses of product worth well over €137 million, according to the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA). The incident rate is the highest recorded in TAPA’s 23-year history as the leading Security Expert Network for everyone in the supply chain.
The Association recorded thefts from supply chains in more countries in the EMEA region than ever before – 48 in total compared to 35 in the previous year. While the UK was the only country to report fewer incidents to TAPA’s incident database in 2019, the Association is aware that UK police have information on more than 4,000 cargo crimes across the country over the year.
Photo: Trans.INFO