The Government has this week announced a total of 39 roadside facility operators across England which will each receive a share of £8 million from the Department for Transport (DfT) and a further £11 million from industry to significantly upgrade truck stops for lorry drivers.
Earlier this week, the Minister for Roads, Richard Holden MP, announced that ADS Truck Parking in Stoke-on-Trent will receive £222,500 in Government funding to improve local facilities. The funding, which comes from the government’s HGV Parking and Driver Welfare Grant Scheme, aims to boost welfare facilities like showers, rest areas and restaurants, and increase heavy goods vehicle (HGV) parking capacity while improving security for drivers.
Jack Brereton MP, Stoke-on-Trent South said:
“I am very pleased to hear that ADS Truck Parking in Longton has been granted £222,500 towards improvements to ensure the safety and security of truck drivers. Overnight safety concerns for HGV drivers and the improvement of facilities is something I have discussed previously with Ministers given the number of haulage industries locally.
The local economy in Stoke-on-Trent is flourishing and we want to encourage more trade in and out of our area, helping support our local businesses. It is only right that we provide drivers with somewhere safe to stay with proper facilities when they are conducting business in the city.
This is another example of Stoke-on-Trent being at the top of the Government's agenda when it comes to investment.”
Minister for Roads, Richard Holden MP, said:
“Jack Brereton MP has been campaigning hard for this and I’m so glad that ADS Truck Parking has got £222,500 for safer more secure lorry parks that improve driver welfare, reduce crime with greater security and ensuring there are better places for lorries to stay when they need to stop, rather than at the roadside.”
Andrew Sargent, Director at ADS Truck Parking, also commented:
“All at ADS Truck parking are so great full to be awarded this grant.
The money will help us to improve all our facilities, especially the driver rest area, restaurant, toilets, showers, and upgrade our CCTV system and permitter fencing.
It’s hard for drivers and companies especially when they pay for secure parking and still get the goods off the trailer and diesel stolen, and poor facilities for their drivers especially when they are away from their families for long periods of time.
I am so happy we will be able to give drivers the facilities they deserve.”
The money received by ADS Truck Parking is not the only investment received in Stoke-on-Trent. Campbell Road Lorry Park has also received £32,500 from the Department for Transport.
This also marks the launch of the second window for roadside facility operators to bid for further funding to continue boosting lorry roadside facilities across England. The window will close on 20 November 2023.
The measure is part of the government’s 33 actions to address the shortage of HGV drivers and boost recruitment and retention.
With hauliers required to take mandatory breaks and rest periods, building better roadside facilities will improve the quality of HGV drivers’ rest and recovery, ensuring everyone can feel safe on England’s roads.
In total, both government and industry will look to spend up to £100 million through to March 2025 to improve lorry roadside facilities for drivers.
