National Highways Transforms Lorry Parking Facilities
National Highways is making essential improvements to lorry parking facilities across the country, to keep Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers comfortable, safe and well.
This investment of £13 million is a vital step in addressing the challenges faced by HGV drivers, who are key to the UK economy. Last year a survey revealed the issues are limited parking, inadequate and unclean facilities and security for both drivers and their vehicles.
The improvement fund is providing truck stop operators with support to improve welfare facilities, strengthen safety and security measures and increase parking capacity.
Since December 2023, National Highways has worked with operators to match fund £3 million in lorry park upgrades across England, with at least another £10 million planned by March 2025.
To date, more than 25 roadside operators have been approved grant awards benefitting 128 sites across England, including independent truck stops, trunk road service areas, motorway service areas, and a local authority site.
Recently completed improvements have led to upgraded showers, toilets, fencing, and CCTV installations at 45 sites, including at York Lorry Park, Exelby Services and Scunthorpe Truck Stop.
Works are progressing at additional sites, including Glews, Chippenham Pit Stop, and Junction 26, with ongoing investments across the country.
In addition, Lilian Greenwood, Roads Minister, has just announced an additional 23 successful applicants from the third window of the Department for Transport’s HGV parking and driver welfare match funding grant scheme.
Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said:
“It’s fantastic to see National Highways transform lorry parking facilities. Coupled with the Government’s latest £12 million joint investment with industry, the funding will give HGV drivers the safe, modern, and comfortable rest areas they deserve.
“Lorry drivers are a core part of our workforce and are vital to keep our economy moving. That’s why improving their working conditions is a crucial step to strengthen our supply chain, support jobs, and get our country back to growth.”
During National Customer Service Week 2024, National Highways is highlighting the differing needs of people who use motorways and major A roads. Freight and logistics drivers are an important group who rely heavily on the Strategic Road Network (SRN) for their day-to-day operations. The SRN is the most heavily used part of the national road network, carrying two-thirds of all freight.
This funding initiative, part of the National Highways’ Users and Communities Designated Fund, is directly responding to these challenges. It aims to provide HGV drivers with safe, secure, and comfortable rest areas that are essential for their wellbeing and productivity.
Freda Rashdi, Head of Customer Journeys at National Highways said:
“HGV drivers are the backbone of our economy and the positive feedback we have received from drivers confirms the vital need for these enhancements.
“Through the projects we’re delivering this year, we’re committed to playing our part in transforming lorry parking facilities across England, ensuring that HGV drivers have the quality rest areas they need and deserve.”
A Transport Focus survey of 700 freight drivers in 2023 revealed concerns regarding their working conditions, highlighting challenges such as limited parking availability, inadequate and unclean facilities and worries about security for both drivers and their vehicles.
York Lorry Park was the first site to benefit from these improvements, setting a benchmark for enhanced facilities. The upgrades include new male and female shower and changing facilities, an accessible toilet, and an inviting entrance corridor.
HGV driver Duncan shared his positive experience, he said:
“I stopped at York Lorry Park and was very impressed with the upgraded toilet and shower facilities. I spend four nights a week on the road, and improvements like these make a significant difference.”
Photos: before and after of showers at York Lorry Park
Photos: before and after of men’s toilets at York Lorry Park
More operators are also seeing the benefits of this investment.
Andy James, Operations Director at Watling Street near St Albans in Hertfordshire said:
“Since we completed our improvements, we’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in lorries using our site, largely attributed to enhanced security measures.”
In addition to security improvements at Watling Street, HGV drivers can now use a newly refurbished café and upgraded accessible showers for both male and female drivers.
National Highways’ 2023 survey also found that female HGV drivers, who are often underrepresented within the industry, had negative experiences using truck stops and facilities, which were having a direct impact on their health. This improvement fund has been vital in providing better facilities for everyone.
One female driver told us:
“Many female drivers get water infections because we have less places to go. We need the services lots more.”
Photos: newly refurbished cafe and accessible female showers at Watling Street
Collaboration with key partners and stakeholders, as well as the individual operators, has been key to the success of delivering this improvement fund. National Highways is working closely with trade associations such as the Road Haulage Association, who represent the interests of the UK's road haulage industry.
James Barwise, Policy Lead at the Road Haulage Association, said:
“We are delighted to see National Highways’ Lorry Park Improvement Fund being awarded to projects which will make a real difference to the day-to-day wellbeing of the drivers who use them.”
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
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