Department for Transport calls time on Kent County Council’s HGV parking ban

The decision from the DfT comes after extensive campaigning from organisations within the logistics industry, as well as grass-roots activists such as retired truck driver Sebastian Barrow.

In a statement, Simon Jones, KCC’s interim Corporate Director and Director of Highways, appeared to express frustration that the council would no-longer be able to clamp trucks in the manner it has done so far this year:

“while we welcome the Roads’ Minister’s commitment to consider future localised restrictions and use of emergency powers in the event of border issues due to customs changes in the new year, it is disappointing not to have our current broader temporary enforcement powers extended.”

Jones nonetheless warned that Kent County Council would continue to monitor lorry parking closely, while the council’s statement also says that parking solutions ought to be found outside of the county.

The Unite Trade Union has welcomed the news, but has “stressed that other measures need to be taken to ensure future problems are properly resolved.”

Unite argues that information should be provided to drivers across the country to clarify the parking situation in Kent as well as the provision of guides to parking safely and responsibly.

Moreover, Unite believes that Kent county council and the government must take immediate action to build more lorry parks with proper facilities for drivers in preparation of any future problems at Dover, similar to those that occurred shortly before Christmas last year.

Commenting on the news, Unite national officer for lorry drivers, Adrian Jones, said:

“Unite is pleased that the government has listened to the union’s grave concerns and taken the necessary action to help end the misery and overcrowding faced by lorry drivers. We know that the people of Kent may be concerned that lorries will be parked irresponsibly but with a severe shortage of secure parking areas drivers are faced with a choice of breaking the law on driving rules or finding somewhere to park. In order to end the overcrowding, it is essential that an information campaign is quickly mounted to ensure that all drivers that use Kent are properly informed of where they can and can’t park legally. A failure to do so will result in the overcrowding problems continuing as drivers think the parking ban remains in place. While lifting the ban should end the immediate short term problems, the government and Kent council need to take immediate action to ensure that when future problems occur with the Dover crossing, for whatever reason, drivers have access to decent welfare facilities while they cope with delays.”