The UK Government says the improvements will boost welfare facilities like showers, rest areas and restaurants, and increase heavy goods vehicle (HGV) parking capacity while improving security for drivers.
The funding comes from the government’s HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant Scheme and forms part of the up to £100 million joint investment between government and industry to support the logistics sector.
In addition, the UK Government has opened the second window for roadside facility operators to bid for further funding. The window will close on 20 November 2023.
Commenting on the news, Roads Minister Richard Holden said:
“Day and night, our lorry drivers and hauliers work tirelessly to deliver essential food, goods and medical supplies up and down the country. As we continue supporting the haulage sector in playing its crucial role in helping to grow the economy, these first winners will help ensure lorry drivers have great facilities where they can safely park, sleep and rest.”
Policy director at Logistics UK, Kate Jennings, added:
“Today’s announcement will be welcome news for the professional drivers using the UK’s road network, who are often forced to take legally mandated rest breaks in their cabs, without access to hygiene facilities due to a chronic lack of welfare provision on key routes. This announcement is a positive step forward and our members operating in England will welcome the planned improvements to accessible facilities for them to access during the course of their working days.”
Richard Smith, Road Haulage Association Managing Director, also commented as follows:
“We are pleased that the first tranche of grants has been announced and that lorry drivers will soon benefit from the improvements this scheme is helping to fund. We would encourage other operators to apply for funding to help them upgrade, too. Better facilities and more safe and secure parking for truckers are a key priority for our industry.”
Finally, Mike Heaton, Head of Estate Development Roadside Services from Certas Energy UK, had the following to add:
“Enhancing driver welfare and ensuring that hauliers have somewhere safe, clean and secure to park their vehicles is a leading priority of our business – and the DfT funding is a vital step in giving drivers the facilities they deserve. DfT has Certas Energy’s ongoing support on its mission to improve driver facilities.”
Photo: Harpole-Red Lion Truckstop by Ian Rob, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
