UK - Following our article last month regarding the reinstatement of truck parking at some US locations Britain’s own facilities have come under fire, this time linked to the Governments National Policy Statement regarding port development in the country.
All professional drivers will be all too familiar with the problems endured by many delivering and collecting freight and shipping containers or heading for ferries from ports like Dover when Operation Stack is implemented in an effort to minimise problems for the travelling public. The Road Haulage Association (RHA)statement today points out the need to include adequate truck parking from the planning stage to ensure drivers can take statutory rest periods at sites offering security for drivers and cargo with adequate toilet and refreshment facilities such as showers.
The RHA are intent on convincing the authorities that these are the minimum required both within and outside UK ports. RHA infrastructure manager Chrys Rampley said:
“We have been encouraged by the launch of transport minister Paul Clark’s Lorry Parking Strategy and its ten point Action Plan but Ministers need to go further. Increased port capacity – both Deep Sea and Ro-Ro – generates more truck traffic. Facilities for the industry and its drivers are already sub-standard and improvements must be stated in the NPS - as a pre-condition of continued UK port development.”
