A comprehensive
report on the availability and use of lorry parking facilities in
England has been published today by Roads Minister Mike Penning.
The study reviewed lorry parking facilities, including their
capacity and levels of use, as well as other indicators of demand.
The final report gives hauliers, councils and potential private
sector investors a comprehensive picture of the demand for lorry
parking and facilities easily accessible from the strategic road
network as well as identifying hotspots where there is currently
inadequate supply to meet demand.
It is also hoped that making more information available about
where facilities can be found will make it easier for drivers to
find places where they can park up safely.
Mike Penning said:
"Making this information available to drivers and
operators will make it easier for them to know where facilities
are available. It will also help developers and local councils who
want to plug gaps in the market helping to boost growth in the sector.
"I hope that by providing better information we will see
more high quality lorry parking facilities in the places where
they are most needed. This will improve safety for drivers and
reduce disruption for local residents."
There will also be discussions with the Road Haulage Forum on
proposals to improve the provision and quality of parking
facilities, with local authorities to explore best practice in
tackling problems with inappropriate parking and between
stakeholders in Kent to agree a solution to the problems caused by
Operation Stack.
Notes to Editors
1. The report by AECOM is available on the Department’s website
at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/lorry-parking-study 2. The
report lists the number of lorries using parks in each local
authority when the survey was carried out and the number parking
in lay-bys and industrial estates. The report also compares the
situation in each local authority with neighbouring ones, which
will help Local Authorities explore the potential for
co-ordinating resources and initiatives to restrict inappropriate
parking. 3. The Road Haulage Forum was established by the
Department to give haulage trade bodies and representative unions
a formal opportunity to work in partnership, providing a forum
through which to discuss areas of mutual concern and interest with
Government officials on a regular basis. 4. “Operation Stack” is
the parking of Channel bound freight traffic on the M20 motorway.
It is initiated and implemented by Kent Police, when there is
disruption to cross channel travel. Several thousand goods
vehicles may be parked on the M20 at this time, with obvious
disruption to non-freight traffic. Press Enquiries: 020 7944
3066Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292Public Enquiries: 0300 330
3000Department for Transport Website:
http://www.dft.gov.ukwww.twitter.com/transportgovuk |
www.youtube.com/transportgovuk | www.flickr.com/transportgovuk
Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Roads
Phone: DfT Press Office 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk