RHA delivered an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday pressing for better roadside facilities for coach and lorry drivers.
The letter, signed by 77 MPs and Lords from various parties, highlights a shortage of basic facilities and safe stopping points and says there is no concrete plan to resolve the issue.
Co-ordinated by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Road Freight and Logistics, the letter and an RHA petition containing almost 20,000 signatories were taken to 10 Downing Street by industry figures and MPs.
RHA calls on the government to establish a taskforce to review existing facilities and work industry, operators and local authorities to provide a solution; reform the existing planning framework and work with local authorities to provide appropriate parking; and commit to increased funding for roadside facilities.
The letter reads in part: “It is well known that the current state of roadside facilities continues to have a significant impact on driver recruitment and retention when the sector can least afford it.”
Richard Smith, RHA Managing Director says: “We’re delighted with the support we’re getting from parliamentarians, businesses, people in our industry and the public for our campaigning to secure better driver facilities on our roads.“Commercial vehicle drivers are vital to our economy so better food, toilets, showers, and somewhere safe and secure to sleep are the very least they deserve.“We’d like to thank the APPG and thousands in our industry for backing our campaign as we press the Government to help us kick-start a new culture for drivers to feel safer and more respected. Greg Smith MP, Chair of the APPG on Road Freight and Logistics, adds: “A key element of the issues around driver recruitment and retention is the poor state of our roadside facilities. It is imperative the UK ups our game, ensuring drivers have safe, secure, comfortable, and affordable options that they know they can rely on.”
