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Government admits M25 services are full
Page 8
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• The government has admitted that truck parking facilities on the M25 are full to bursting point following the huge growth of traffic on the orbital motorway.
Hauliers say that both Clacket Lane and South Mimms service areas are frequently overflowing, with trucks forced to park along the hard shoulder of the motorway.
The admission came in a response to a question in the House of Lords from Tory backbencher Lard Attlee, who takes an interest in haulage issues. Lord Falconer, the Transport Minister In the Lards, said: "Although the facilities at South Mimms and Clacket Lane, including the number of lorry parking spaces, meet the requirements which we place on their operators, traffic growth has increased pressure on lorry parking at both service areas."
Martin Croft of hauliers PR Croft slams the current facilities: "There are only two washrooms for about 200 HGV parking spaces at Clacket Lane. Lorries are often parked on the side of the road and In the lay-by because by around 7pm the park is full."
"It is no wonder that the industry is facing a driver shortage," says Lord Attlee. "While drivers are required to take statutory breaks there are no decent facilities for them."
A spokesperson for RoadChef, which runs Clacket Lane, says: "The required level of investment to provide each extra HGV parking space is 240,000 plus the cost of land, so it Is not a viable option. However, RoadChef would be interested in talking to parties abou sponsorship for new facilities.'
The Highways Agency has already met with the industry and service area operators to look at ways of improving motorway facilities for truck drivers. This forum will now draw up a list of proposals to present to Transport Minister John Spellar later this year.
Plans already exist for a new service area on the western side of the motorway, but the government has yet to find a suitable site.