Top Boss Demands More Lorry Parks

A TOP Thurrock Haulage Boss has called for the increase in lorry parks especially around the M25 area.

The call comes at the end of a three month government consultation with the road transport industry over the future of truck parking facilities in the UK.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) and Road Haulage Association (RHA) were among those who supplied their views on issues such as national lorry parking demand requirements to 2019; how lorry parking provision can be defined at national, regional and local levels; possible best practice guidelines; how new secure truck parking developments can be encouraged and promoted; and awareness of existing lorry parking facilities.

Peter Larner, MD of Suckling Transport, in West Thurrock told roadtransport.com that there are too many “not-in-my-backyard” residents of towns and villages in the UK campaigning against lorry parks.

He says: “Driver fatigue is responsible for more road deaths than drink driving so we need to provide adequate rest areas.

“A driver, for example, having completed a night time delivery at a site in Watford, where the facilities are closed overnight because a lot of fuel deliveries are now done in the consignee’s absence, has only one service area – South Mimms – on his return to Coryton in Essex.

“South Mimms, like Clackett Lane, is full in the HGV parking area every night, so drivers cannot find a place to rest if they feel tired.”

The findings are due to be published in early October, after which a person who could be labelled ‘the truck parking czar’ – an as yet unnamed senior Department for Transport (DfT) civil servant – will oversee the creation of a national lorry parking provision strategy.

According to Chrys Rampley, RHA security and infrastructure manager, the planning system needs to be shaken up to prevent local authorities derailing parking proposals. “We have seen a site take eight years to get planning permission – Basildon – which opened in March 2010 and not many firms can withstand that.

“Often there appears to be no lack of interest from potential developers for sites, but they fall at the first hurdle – getting planning permission.”

Transport minister Mike Penning says: “I understand the importance of good-quality, safe, lorry parking facilities for operators and drivers. I am looking at how existing lorry parking provision can be improved.”

The RHA, in its consultation response, suggests improved use of land to prevent drivers being issued with penalty notices for being parked in non-designated HGV spaces, sharing of facilities with park and ride sites and consideration of using coach bays or car and caravan spaces overnight by operators.

It also believes there is scope for better availability of alternative fuels and for truck parking to be a consideration in expansion approvals for ports, as well as significant industrial and/or commercial developments.