Logistics UK holds Scottish Parliament round table on driver facilities

Also in attendance was Dr Claire Baker MSP, Scottish Labour Transport Spokesperson, a representative from Transport Scotland, and Scottish logistics operators.  

Logistics UK's Head of Road Freight & English Regions Policy, Maddi Solloway-Price set out the challenges of a lack of safe and secure parking for drivers. 

Attendees heard from Matthew Radburn from Transport Focus, which surveyed more than 7,000 lorry drivers across 75 sites. The report identified that capacity is the top priority for lorry drivers, and that drivers want the basics to be right – clean, safe facilities with reasonably priced quality food, more and better wash facilities and a quiet place to sleep. They also want to feel welcome and have sites designed with their needs in mind.  

In light of these findings, Transport Focus developed a 12-month action plan launched earlier this year. In PC Mike Dawber's address, the NaVCIS officer outlined that the true cost of freight crime is around £700 million a year and is largely carried out by organised criminal gangs. He stated that there is a difference between safe parking and secure parking.  

The British Parking Association was also in attendance and spoke about its Park Mark Freight Scheme, a comprehensive assessment specifically for lorry parks and truck stops, developed in response to the rise in cargo theft in recent years and the Department for Transport's policies for improving roadside facilities for drivers.  

Park Mark Freight builds upon the Safer Parking Scheme’s Park Mark Award by introducing essential criteria. Park Mark Freight will only be awarded to lorry parks and truck stops which demonstrate that their facilities pass the following essential requirements:  

– Continuous secure perimeter CCTV, which must cover any payment machines.  

– Payment machines to be regularly emptied.  

– On-site security personnel. Good lighting covering the perimeter and entrance/exit points.  

– Landscaping must ensure uninterrupted views of the site by CCTV.  

– Signage must include emergency contacts, vehicles permitted, telephone help line, parking charges.  

– Entrance and exit signs must be clearly shown.  

– Clear way-finding markings. 

 – Designated Health and Safety Officer and evidence of health and safety inspections.  

– Clean, working and maintained toilet facilities (male and female).  

– Drinking water.  

– Waste bins and recycling facilities.  

– Availability of food and drink.  

Alexandra Herdman with Sue Webber MSP (left) and Dr Claire Baker MSP (right) 

The round table heard from a number of operators in attendance about the challenges their drivers faced in finding safe, secure parking with access to facilities, and how there are particular issues in certain parts of Scotland during peak tourist season where there is increasing competition for parking spaces with campervans. 

Logistics UK’s policy lead for Scotland, Alexandra Herdman summarised that Logistics UK is calling for national review of lorry parking in Scotland, integration of lorry parking into planning policy, a freight crime code so we can better understand the nature and scale of freight crime and working with members to develop mutual operator networks for drivers to take their rest breaks.  

Logistics UK's Solloway-Price said: "There are some brilliant facilities available to drivers, but we need more of them and in the right places. We need safe and secure facilities and a crime code for freight crime, to prevent organised crime and to protect drivers.  

“We also need clean, fit for purpose facilities, because that’s what drivers deserve. I look forward to working together to tackle the issue of improving driver facilities and put an end to freight crime."  

Related: Focus on freight crime: Exclusive interview with Rachel Taylor MP (link added).