Transport watchdog highlights need to improve facilities for lorry drivers as survey reveals scale of problem facing freight sector - Transport Focus

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.