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Parting for HGVs
Page 12
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TAKE A TIP FROM EUROPE
Barry Proctor can't believe the attitude of our councils when it comes to the thorny issue of HGV parking, but thinks they should take their lead from continental countries...
About a year or so back I flew over to Stuttgart in Germany to pick up a car and drive it back to the UK. Not having driven much on the continent before, I was amazed; just one look at the parking facilities they have over there I was gobsmacked. I could not believe the quality of the truckstops, the lovely parking areas in woodlands and the little restaurants and cafes that are dotted every 20 miles or so. Then when I rolled off the boat in Dover the first thing I saw was signs telling me that 'Tiredness kills, take a break'; I just thought "Where? Where do you go?" Facilities for drivers in this country are either non-existent or pathetic and the less said about lay-bys, the better.
I've also noticed that councils have been clamping down on the mobile cafes parked in lay-bys which, although not ideal, go some way to providing facilities. Perhaps council workers, when they're sitting in an off ice with a subsidised canteen, should think about what they're doing: effectively taking away the chance for the average HGV driver to take essential breaks, and get some refreshments.
An great example of council ineptitude and ignorance was demonstrated at a Public Inquiry I attended recently on behalf of the RHA at Kidderminster. The local authority, Wyre Forest District Council, had received complaints from members of the public about trucks parking illegally. As it happened they were being parked perfectly legally, but typically the truckstop had been closed down by the council quite a while ago, forcing drivers to park on industrial estates. I had to point out that the drivers were doing nothing wrong, which was supported by a police officer. After the meeting I visited the car park they suggested was suitable, and was greeted with signs saying 'no overnight parking for HGVs'.
Unless we address this it's going to be impossible to bring in new blood to an industry already chronically short of drivers. "I could not believe the quality o the truckstops on the continent lovely parking areas in woodlan and little restaurants and cafes dotted every 20 miles or so"