In recent weeks, the soon-to-be-closed truck stop has had to close down temporarily due to staff shortages.
In the comments section of the post regarding a temporary closure last month, the administrator of the truck stop’s Facebook page explained that the staff shortages had been caused by staff leaving ahead of the expected sale:
“The owners have been offered to sell it for land and if they accept it, then lockerbie lorry park will cease trading as the new owners don’t want the business. Due to us being put into consultation for redundancy some of the staff have left, which means we are now short staffed,” said Lockerbie Lorry Park’s Facebook admin.
The admin then went on to write that the truck stop had been given 30-days notice, adding: “fingers crossed that someone might want to keep it as a truck stop.”
It was said that the truck stop had until October 6th to accept the deal “as far as the staff have been told”. Unconfirmed rumours shared on social media in September also speculated that the lorry park was to be sold to the owners of the bark processing plant next door.
While those stories have yet to be confirmed, it is now known that the game is up for Lockerbie Lorry Park. The administrators of the truck stop’s Facebook page confirmed on Friday that the company would cease trading on October 28th.
The news is obviously bad as far as truck drivers are concerned. It is well documented that the UK needs more truck stops, not less.
Lockerbie Lorry Park sports free parking for the first two hours in a parking area with on site security patrols, ANPR and CCTV cameras in operation. In addition, there is a cafeteria, laundrette, truck wash and refuelling point. It also has an on-site bar providing warm meals and live sports broadcasts.
A number of lorry drivers who follow the lorry park’s Facebook page have been saddened by the news of its imminent closure.
One truck driver wrote:
“Gutted for all the staff . One of the best truck stops about . Glad I popped in for brekky on Thursday, brilliant food as always . Thanks to all the staff for keeping us boys fed & watered for many years.”
Another driver added:
“Another great truck stop gone. Hope the staff get other jobs soon. Always felt welcome there and always glad to get a shower and something to eat there and have a good night’s kip.”
Commenting on the closure, the RHA said in a statement:
“The number of overnight parking places for lorries in Scotland continues to fall. Key strategic areas are being left with no provision at all; this is bad for drivers and a potential safety risk.
The RHA call upon the Scottish Government to accelerate their audit of lorry parking spaces and commit to engaging with relevant stakeholders who can quickly address these problems.
We will continue to push governments in Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and Cardiff to take whatever steps they can to provide more, better, safer facilities for drivers.”
Photo: Rab Lawrence / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 (image cropped)