The Lorry Parking Facilities Improvements Scheme is intended to support upgrades at existing sites, including better welfare facilities, additional HGV parking spaces and improved security. According to the government grants portal, National Highways is promoting a grant scheme worth up to £20m for facilities used by drivers who rely on safe and secure rest areas.
Commercial Motor reports that applications for the latest round are open through the National Highways website, with grants covering up to 50% of capital costs.
Eligible operators include motorway service areas, independent truck stops, trunk road service areas and local authority truck stops. Sites must be located on, or within 5km of, England’s strategic road network. Applicants must provide at least 50% match funding for the project.
Funding can be used for construction and refurbishment work, security equipment and installation, engineering, architecture and design, and fixtures and fittings. Projects may include new or improved parking spaces, toilets, showers, lighting, CCTV, barriers and other security upgrades.
The scheme does not cover normal running costs, general overheads, future staffing costs or direct labour costs. It also cannot be used for retrospective funding or for work that would go ahead regardless of whether the grant was awarded. Projects must be completed by 31 March 2031.
The latest round comes as the shortage and quality of lorry parking remain a long-running concern for the UK road transport sector. Poor rest facilities and limited secure spaces have repeatedly been linked to driver welfare, recruitment and retention, as well as cargo crime risk.
National Highways says it has worked with operators since December 2023 to match-fund up to £13m in lorry park upgrades across England. Completed examples include additional HGV parking, electric hook-ups for refrigerated vehicles, upgraded toilets and showers, CCTV, fencing and ANPR barriers.
