The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has welcomed the government’s commitment to tackle illegal lorry parks but says the issue can only be solved by better, legal parks to help drivers who are often desperate to find parking for their legally required breaks.  

“Finding a safe and secure place to park, either overnight or during statutory rest periods, is no easy task,” said RHA Chief Executive Richard Burnett. “Secure lorry parking facilities with appropriate amenities should not be seen as a problem - on the contrary, they are the answer to lorry intrusion in local areas and to improving driver welfare.”   

“The news that Road Minister John Hayes is to conduct a national survey to determine where more parking spaces are needed and his pledge to make sure lorry facilities are planned into new Highways England infrastructure projects, while welcome, is long overdue,” said Richard.  “We made the same point to coalition government ministers in 2010. We were promised action then but nothing happened. However, we continued to press and we are reassured by what we are now hearing from John Hayes and Highways England. There is much government can do to facilitate and encourage lorry parking development, which so far it has failed to do.”   

The RHA has already met the roads minister to discuss this issue and fully supports local measures to require the industry to use appropriate, secure lorry parks where they are provided and sensibly priced. The Association has also met Helen Whately MP to discuss the lorry parking problems specific to Kent. Kent County Council is already working on identifying where more lorry parking spaces are needed in the county.

Photo: The government plans to conduct a national survey to determine where lorry parks are needed.