The European Commission has pledged €320 million to improve secure lorry parking facilities across the EU to improve driver safety and attract new entrants to the road transport industry. This initiative, funded under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), marks a significant step forward for the sector following years of advocacy by the International Road Transport Union (IRU).
The funding announcement follows ongoing IRU campaigns that have highlighted the need for secure parking infrastructure, particularly as the industry grapples with driver shortages and challenging working conditions. According to IRU EU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian, the initiative is crucial, given the difficulties faced in recruiting long-haul drivers across Europe.
“Now is the time for stakeholders to take full advantage of this opportunity and submit projects that tangibly improve the industry,” she stated.
However, Marian noted that EU funding alone is unlikely to fully address the problem, pointing out that many projects face delays or are blocked by local licensing hurdles. She called on the EU to develop a comprehensive plan to complete the core network of secure lorry parks and urged national governments to stress the urgency of the need to local authorities.
Currently, drivers in the EU face a marked shortage of secure parking options, often relying on poorly equipped or unsafe areas to rest. This gap in infrastructure has affected driver safety and cargo security, making recruitment and retention in the sector increasingly challenging.
Applications for the funding are open until 21 January 2025, with the IRU encouraging all eligible stakeholders to participate. Given the uncertainty surrounding future funding, the current call for projects may represent a unique opportunity to address these pressing issues in the industry.