It has long been argued that one of the barriers to attracting new HGV drivers into the UK’s haulage sector is inadequate roadside facilities. As such, National Highways launched £20m of match funding to improve roadside facilities and security for lorry drivers earlier this year.
Further to this, the UK government has now announced an additional investment of up to £100m, with road service and truck-stop operators able to bid for a share. This represents welcome news in the industry’s ongoing struggle against driver shortages.
Funding Launched by UK Roads Minister
The funding was launched on the 24th of November this year by UK Roads Minister Richard Holden on a visit to the Red Lion Truckstop in Northamptonshire. There he referenced ‘The National Survey on Lorry Parking’ which provides evidence of the improvements needed for the nation’s roadside infrastructure.
The DfT has expressed a commitment to helping the sector meet the government’s long-term targets on HGV welfare facilities and roadside parking. In line with is, the DfT will match as much as 50% of the total capital costs of improvement for small operators (£632k turnover and below) and 25% for larger operators.
“Hauliers & Drivers Are Critical For Our Economy” – Holden
Speaking on the matter, Mr Holden expressed the need for action and the importance of HGV drivers and haulage companies to Britain, stating:
“Hauliers and drivers are critical to keep our economy motoring. But for decades, our truckers have had a raw deal when it comes to decent roadside facilities.
This is why I’m so proud that our government is going to provide match funding support to the industry to boost drivers’ welfare, safeguard road safety and make sure driving an HGV is a really attractive career option by providing the facilities and respect our lorry drivers deserve.”
“A Significant Milestone” – The RHA
The move was welcomed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), however, they called for more to be done to speed up the process. While the RHA stated that the funding marked a significant milestone in its campaign to improve roadside facilities, ministers were urged to cut the planning red tape involved.
RHA MD Richard Smith had this to say “We’re pleased to see that service station operators can apply for grants to improve facilities for drivers – the standards at many truck stops are poor so it’s right that the government has shown this commitment.
But thousands of truckers every night are still left without safe and secure places to park. Simplifying planning bureaucracy would help firms develop new sites quicker, which would boost local economies and offer truckers the facilities they deserve.”
A Welcome Development In Attracting New Drivers
This new funding certainly represents a welcome development in attracting new HGV drivers into the industry. The sooner roadside facilities are up to the required standard, the sooner we’ll find it easier to attract new people into the sector. Minimising the necessary amount of red tape would also help the haulage industry that’s been through much in 2022.
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