Related Articles
Nearly half of lorry drivers are dissatisfied with the quality and number of suitable places for HGVs to stop in new survey from the independent watchdog, Transport Focus.
Transport Focus is bringing together the public and private sector to develop long-term solutions that will improve the quality and availability of rest stops. The survey found that drivers often don’t feel welcome, safe or able to get a decent meal or proper rest.
The launch of the survey comes at the start of National Lorry Week which recognises the vital role of lorry drivers and the importance of the people and organisations out on the nation’s roads.
Transport Focus’s new Lorry Driver Facilities Survey surveyed more than 7000 lorry drivers about their experience at a third of all motorway services, ‘A’ road services and truck stops in England. The remaining sites will be included in the next two years of the survey.
Less than four in 10 lorry drivers said they were satisfied with the number of stopping places available in the UK. When no services are available, drivers can be forced to park in laybys or industrial estates, which lack basic amenities like toilets and have little to no security.
Grill entrance at the Formula Services truck stop at Ellesmere Port. Image Formula Services
The UK driver shortage remains a significant challenge. According to Department for Transport official statistics, the vacancy gap currently sits at 24 per cent. This issue is likely to worsen as a significant portion of the workforce approaches retirement. Women account for just two per cent of all drivers, representing an untapped potential workforce.
Of the sites in this year’s survey Formula truck stop in Ellesmere Port was the best rated site by lorry drivers with 99 per cent of lorry drivers satisfied, highlighting the good practice within the sector and a benchmark for improvement. High performing sites demonstrate what is possible with the right investment and attention to drivers’ needs.
Alex Robertson, Chief Executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Lorry drivers are crucial to the economy, transporting goods across the country to fill supermarkets shelves and get medical supplies to hospitals. Many of us take for granted our ability to use the toilet, make a hot drink and get a proper rest when we need to. But for lorry drivers, these basic needs often aren’t being met.
“Our new research shows the scale of the problem that persists and that’s why we are bringing government and industry together to develop a long-term solution so we can keep our lorries, and the people who drive them, moving safely.”
Transport Focus is calling for four key areas to be addressed:
- Better and consistent quality of services – work must be done to drive up standards and ensure consistent quality of facilities across sites.
- Parking capacity that meets demand – there should be a sustained focus on increasing parking capacity and lorry driver facilities in the right places to ensure that availability meets the growing demand.
- Safety and security for drivers and vehicles – standards must be improved, particularly at sites where there are security concerns, so that drivers and loads are safe and feel safe.
- Providing a welcoming environment – the approach of some services, which leaves lorry drivers feeling less valued than other customers, must be challenged.
These results come ahead of a roundtable next year, hosted by Transport Focus, which will gather government, truck stop owners, motorway service operators, trade associations and the wider roads industry to develop a long-term solution to keep lorries, and the people who drive them, moving safely.
Future of Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood said: “Lorry drivers are the unsung heroes of our economy, and they deserve easily available parking, secure rest areas, and modern welfare facilities so that they can work and drive with confidence.
“That’s why the Department and industry are investing up to £43.5 million to upgrade truckstops all over the country, on top of £26 million from National Highways and industry, and we will work closely with Transport Focus and the sector to continue improving working conditions for lorry drivers, supporting jobs, and getting us back to growth.”
National Highways Chief Customer and Strategy Officer Elliot Shaw said: “HGV drivers are the backbone of the economy and that’s why we are investing £13 million into improving lorry park facilities across the country. We have received positive feedback on improvements we have completed so far.
“National Highways is dedicated to working alongside industry partners to ensure safe, comfortable, and secure rest areas for all HGV drivers.”
Formula Services Washing Machines. Image: Formula Services
Ashton Cull, RHA Policy manager said: “We’re proud to hold our tenth National Lorry Week campaign once again celebrating our industry and its people, and the critical role they play in driving the economy.
“Transport Focus’s survey highlights the very real challenges lorry drivers face day in day out when trying to take a break and do their jobs safely. We look forward to working with Transport Focus and the wider sector on solutions to improve our roadside facilities for the better.”
Ash Evans, Operations Manager at Formula Premier Truckstop said: “I’m delighted that visitors in Transport Focus’s survey have given Formula truck stop such a vote of confidence. We’ll be using the results of the survey to help make further improvements and offer an exceptional experience for all who stop at our site.
“We’re looking forward to coming together at Transport Focus’s roundtable to discuss how we can ensure lorry drivers get a better deal wherever they stop and make sure this issue gets the attention it deserves.”
Michelle Gardner, Deputy Policy Director at Logistics UK said: “Logistics drivers are the unsung heroes of our sector, ensuring that goods arrive where they are needed, on time and in great condition. Just like other workers in the economy, drivers deserve to have access to safe, secure and clean facilities to take mandatory rests and to look after basic human needs, with space to provide them with the rest they are legally entitled to, when they need it.
“Transport Focus’ survey demonstrates just how urgent the need for better facilities is for our industry. We are working hard to attract new recruits, particularly younger and more diverse candidates, but we are being let down by a nationwide lack of suitable rest facilities. It is vital that the government and private sector prioritises this issue and provides the facilities that our workforce deserves.”
The Government, National Highways, and industry are investing up to £64 million to provide more parking for HGVs and better conditions for lorry drivers and Transport Focus wants to see the industry deliver on its commitment to improve the experience for lorry drivers.
What lorry drivers say
Commenting on the state of truck stops one lorry driver said: “I drive about 4000 miles per week. I’m shattered when I get to truck stops and want a nice shower, healthy food and good sleep. Some truck stops offer only unhealthy food and the showers and toilets are dirty so it’s just making my life so upsetting and stressful and I end up not getting any sleep and I feel terrible.”
Another lorry driver commented: “We need more safe and secure parking. There is a massive shortage of available parking and certainly secure parking. Load and fuel thefts are at an all-time high and nothing seems to be getting done about it.”
Commenting on Formula truck stop in Ellesmere Port one visitor said: “Need more places like Formula. It has everything you need – clean toilets, showers, visible security, good food.”
Commenting on the facilities at truck stops one female lorry driver said: “The only shower is in the men’s bathroom. More and more female lorry drivers are driving now, we shouldn’t have to go in the men’s bathroom to shower.”
