Pulling out all the stops! Major parking extension unveiled at award-winning Wiltshire lorry park
The £2 million Chippenham Pit Stop project has been made possible by National Highways’ £13 million Lorry Parking Facilities Improvement Fund, which, as a match-funded initiative, will equate to £26 million of improvements nationally.
- National Highways’ funding enables 63 extra lorry parking spaces
- Wiltshire business collaborates with government to support HGV drivers
- Chippenham Pit Stop now offers 150+ safer, bookable spaces for drivers
The £2 million Chippenham Pit Stop project has been made possible by National Highways’ £13 million Lorry Parking Facilities Improvement Fund, which, as a match-funded initiative, will equate to £26 million of improvements nationally.
The new Wiltshire facility was officially opened today in a ribbon cutting ceremony by leading transport figures, including Elliot Shaw, National Highways’ Chief Customer and Strategy Officer.
Caption: David Wells, Chief Executive for Logistics UK; Pete Martin, Customer Experience Manager for National Highways; Michael Silvey, Director of Chippenham Pit Stop; David Hatherall, Managing Director of Chippenham Pit Stop; and Elliot Shaw, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer for National Highways
National Highways, the company responsible for England’s motorways and major A roads, has contributed around £700k towards the extended and improved Wiltshire parking facility, which also includes an expanded restaurant area and improved shower and toilet facilities.
Elliot Shaw said: “We recognise the vital role of the freight and logistics sector in driving economic growth, ensuring the flow of goods, supporting industries, and creating jobs.
“That’s why we’re proud to unveil improved lorry parking facilities, providing safer spaces for drivers to rest and recharge, reducing the risks of unsafe roadside parking, and making roads safer for everyone.
“This investment supports the transport industry and economy, giving drivers access to high-quality facilities, making their journeys safer and more comfortable. By the end of March this year, we expect our fund to provide an extra 394 spaces across the country.”
Caption: An aerial view of Chippenham Pit Stop
The initiative is part of a wider Government funding drive, and Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said: “National Highways is making great progress to make lorry drivers safer, with the secure and comfortable places to rest that they deserve, thanks to their £13m boost.
“The Government, jointly with industry, is also investing up to £43.5 million in lorry parking facilities to support operators across England for better, greener, and safer facilities for lorry drivers.
“Lorry drivers are a key part of our workforce and economy, and it’s vital that their working conditions are protected, so we can strengthen the supply chain, support jobs and get back to economic growth.”
A delighted Pit Stop Managing Director David Hatherell said the company was playing its part in answering calls from drivers, the RHA and the Government for a seriously needed increase in high-quality overnight truck stop facilities in secure environments, right across the highways network.
He said: “This is a vitally needed project, which has taken some four long years to bring to fruition, and we’re so pleased it’s now opened and looking forward to the benefits it will bring.
“In support of this major expansion, we have already invested a substantial sum in expanding our restaurant and kitchen and improving our shower and toilet facilities for both men and women, together with extra overnight provision.
“As a family firm, we take enormous pride in the service and facilities we offer and previously, when we were so often full it was horrible to see a disappointed driver leave to look for a layby to park in.
“Now, with the extra space and the option to book we should be able to accommodate everyone, and because we’re in a rural area, drivers can anticipate enjoying quiet nights, safe in the knowledge that they are in a secure location.
“As a Wiltshire business, we’ve been lucky to have the support of our neighbours and also some brilliant local professionals, who made everything possible from acquiring the land, winning planning permission to construction, lighting and landscaping – and virtually all the £2m was spent within a 20-mile radius.”
Caption: The first lorry to use the newly upgraded Chippenham Pit Stop
His comments were echoed by customer Stuart Keedwell, chairman of Somerset-based transport provider RT Keedwell, who operates trucks across the UK.
He said: “Trying to find secure parking with high quality welfare facilities for so many vehicles at night across the country is a real challenge. When places like the Chippenham Pit Stop expand it does make a difference so we are delighted to be here today and will definitely continue to make full use of the site.”
The Pit Stop, which includes an all-weather gym, has been praised by the Road Haulage Association as setting the benchmark when it comes to customer care.
Ashton Cull, RHA Senior Public Affairs lead, said: “It’s fantastic news for lorry drivers that there will be a significant increase in parking spaces at Chippenham Pit Stop. A lot of work has gone into this project over a number of years, and we’re delighted that truckers will now see the benefit.
“Helping facilitate more safe and secure parking is a key RHA priority with a shortage of 11,000 spaces across the country. The additional facilities at Chippenham Pit Stop shows what can be achieved with the right collaboration and support.”
The Pit Stop collaboration is part of a £13 million National Highways match-funding initiative, which has seen lorry parking facilities transformed across the country, addressing key issues that HGV drivers face, such as limited parking, inadequate facilities, and security concerns.
Elsewhere in the country, improvements have also been delivered at York Lorry Park, Exelby Services, Scunthorpe Truck Stop, Glews Services in Goole and Junction 26 at Waltham Abbey, thanks to the company’s funding.
These projects, along with the Chippenham Pit Stop, have been recognised by Transport Focus, the independent watchdog for transport users
To find out more information on National Highways, its work and its funding streams, go to the company website, and for more details on the Chippenham Pit Stop facility, click here.
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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