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24 Nov 2009 09:56 AM
ACTION TO IMPROVE LORRY PARKING PROVISION

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 24 November 2009

A new action plan to improve lorry parking in England was announced today by Transport Minister Paul Clark.

The new strategy will help raise standards at existing truck stops and tackle shortages of lorry parking facilities.

The Department has also updated the Truck Stop Guide in conjunction with the Highways Agency to ensure that drivers and operators have the most up to date information on the facilities available to them.

Paul Clark said:

"The haulage industry is vital to the economy of the UK and we want to ensure that the industry has the facilities it needs to operate safely and efficiently. The provision of high quality parking for lorry drivers is vital in ensuring that drivers are able to take a break and are fit to drive.

"We hope that providing new guidance to councils, helping specific shortages to be identified and encouraging best practice among operators will lead to an improvement in the quality and consistency of facilities available to lorry drivers."

The Department will be developing guidance for operators and local councils to help improve the consistency and quality of services offered to drivers. In addition, the Department wants to encourage new lorry parking facilities by increasing coverage of them in local and national planning documents and by allowing them to be accessed directly from the motorway.

The lorry parking strategy has been developed in consultation with stakeholders and the Department will continue to work with them to ensure that the plan is delivered effectively.

Notes to Editors

1. The Department for Transport's Strategy for Lorry Parking Provision in England can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/road.
2. Also published today is the Lorry Parking Baseline Report: The Current Situation. This can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/freight/road.

Press Enquires: 020 7944 3066 Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292 Public Enquiries: 0300 330 3000 Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Contacts:

Roads ..
Phone: 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk