Following speculation sparked by local newspaper reports, Crewe Truck Stop confirmed this morning that it would eventually have to make way for HS2 infrastructure after the site was subject to a compulsory purchase order.
Writing on Facebook, Crewe Truck Stop stressed that it was “open as usual” and that reports of it having already closed down were wide of the mark.
The truckstop then explained that it had been subject to a compulsory purchase order on the site by HS2, and that eventually it will be taken over by the HS2 project.
“Believe me, we have fought against this for years but, as with many people, we have no say in this. Further to this we were approached by network rail to sell the premises early due to them having a need for the site for essential works on the existing railway. This sale has taken place with an agreement for us to carry on operating the business as a Truckstop until they require the site. So for the foreseeable future, we will be open as normal. Many thanks for reading, and your support,” said Crewe Truck Stop on Facebook.
According to Michelin’s Truckfly app, Crewe Truck Stop’s facilities include toilets, showers, laundry, cafeteria, TV and WiFi. The facility has 85 parking spaces for HGVs and is secured with lighting, CCTV and guarded parking. The truckstop also accepts refrigerated trucks and exceptional loads.
Crewe Truckstop’s rating on Truckfly is 4.4/5 based on 15 reviews. The truckstop also has a rating of 4.5 on Google Maps based on 705 reviews.
Speaking to Cheshire Live, Matt Pochin, director at Legat Owen, who acquired the site for Network Rail, said:
“We originally acquired the site for our long-term client over 20 years ago and are pleased to have been involved in its subsequent sale. Crewe has a huge amount of future potential with a significant amount of investment and development in the pipeline, not least Cheshire East Council’s plans to redevelop the train station which is located only a quarter of a mile away from the Cowley Road site.”
Although Crewe Truckstop shall remain open for the time being, its inevitable loss means the UK will be short of yet another truckstop. This means a further reduction in badly-needed lorry parking capacity, and arguably increases the haulage industry’s reliance on Motorway Service area parking. In recent times, confirmed projects bringing more lorry parking to the UK have been few and far between, and have often come from the Motorway Service areas that truck drivers are often dissatisfied with.
While the rest of Europe is also grappling with a chronic shortage of lorry parking, there are at least some signs of new sites coming on stream. In recent days, a new 280-space lorry park has opened in Belgium, while announcements on new facilities in Germany and Spain have also been made. This follows similar announcements made earlier this year concerning lorry parking infrastructure in Denmark and Italy.
