Following criticism on lorry drivers' Facebook groups, a truckstop located by the M25 has defended the £50 nightly parking charge it will introduce on 1st January 2022.

Truckstop defends £50 parking charge amid criticism on social media

<a href="https://driverrequire.co.uk/resources/bulletin-the-hgv-driver-shortage-crisis-november-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A new report produced by driver recruitment agency Driver Require</a> concludes that the UK's driver shortage is no longer a crisis. It cites new ONS figures that show the country's driver pool has increased by 28,000. However, the agency also warns that “urgent and sustained concerted action is needed to address the poor employment conditions and the lack of adequate quality secure HGV parking facilities throughout the UK."

As UK driver shortage subsides, Driver Require reinforces need for better facilities and conditions

Kieran Smith, CEO of HGV driver recruitment agency Driver Require, together with Adrian Jones, National Officer for Road and Transport for the Unite trade union, have each supported the idea of the UK Government adopting minimum standards for lorry parking facilities. 

Driver Require CEO says UK should follow EU’s lead on adopting lorry park standards

<a href="https://www.pertemps.co.uk/about-us/latest-news/company-news/lorry-driver-crisis-to-worsen-survey-shows/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A survey of over 2,500 qualified HGV drivers by Pertemps</a> has found that almost a quarter of all respondents consider it unlikely that they will still be driving lorries three years from now. 

Survey of UK-based truckers suggests almost 1 in 4 set to quit profession within 3 years

Two trailers carrying bales of waste paper almost completely burned out in a Kent lorry park last weekend. The accident was caused as a result of a trucker using a camping stove between two HGVs.

Camping stove accident burns 2 trailers in Kent lorry park

The Czech roads authority for the Olomouc region has said it is going to plow on with the development of two new rest stops - despite continued opposition from villagers and local councils. 

Czech roads authority continues rest stop construction despite gripes from locals

This Friday morning, lorry drivers in France belonging to the Sud Solidaires trade union are set to go on strike. Action is also expected to be taken by some non-union drivers <a href="https://actu.fr/normandie/rouen_76540/greve-des-routiers-vendredi-des-ralentissements-a-prevoir-a-l-entree-de-rouen-et-du-havre_46280593.html?fbclid=IwAR0o4QV69akawGzNzREUCUOPoFhHOKK5Nxdq2shCjG4qQKo_8WPGlGRFlwA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the French press</a>, who report that most disruption will be in the area near Rouen, Le Havre and Caen.

France: truck drivers’ strike expected to cause disruption near Rouen and Le Havre

The MD of Lymm Truckwash believes the UK Government should be doing more to facilitate the construction of lorry parks, maintaining it is not up to hauliers to invest in such facilities.

Lymm Truckwash director frustrated by local councils thwarting HGV facility plans

A retired truck driver has sent a candid letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps that says an irreversible driver shortage has been created thanks to the UK's “donkey" government among other things. During the letter, the former lorry driver said that the government, the DfT, UK & EU legislation, policing and poor wages had all contributed to the problem. 

Ex-trucker slams poor facilities, low wages and “donkey” government in letter to Grant Shapps

Harinder Singh, Managing Director of BJS Distribution Storage and Courier, has described the UK Government's HGV driver visa scheme as a “token gesture" and said that  “immigration from countries struggling financially" is the long-term solution to the country's driver shortage problem.