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Price outcry at Ashford park
Page 8
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The Ashford truckstop has new owners who have ramped up prices; drivers are not amused. Jennifer Ball reports.
DRIVERS IN THE South-East are facing a parking crisis after the new owner of the Ashford Truckstop revealed the site will probably be redeveloped within three years.
Additionally the firm has admitted trying to price East European drivers off the site with a massive 150% rise in parking charges.
Construction firm GSE Group took over the site in January and immediately increased overnight parking fees to £12.50 with a 12.50 meal voucher—up from a subsidised £4 for those using the Channel Tunnel and f8 for non-tunnel traffic.
Howard Charlton, consultant project manager for GSE, confirms that the government and the local authority both wish to develop the site into business infrastructure and housing. "In the meantime obviously we want truck drivers here; we need to break even on our f3.5m investment.
"Eurotunnel used to offer subsidised parking to those using the tunnel, but we have put the price up to avoid Eastern European drivers using the facilitiesThe first two hours is still free if a driver takes his parking receipt to the shop and buys something such as a packet of mints. We are effectively no more expensive than parking at a traditional MSA."
Charlton also points out that the site facilities have dramatically improved, including an ASTM and an intemet cafe. Drivers, however, are unimpressed by the price rises. Andy Stainsby from Beoley-based SWalkerTransportsays:"The prices are extortionate. Drivers' hands are tied— they have to either park overnight in a lay-by on the M20 or pay £12.50 for secure parking at the truckstop. The owners have a captive audience in Kent but they obviously aren't keen to develop that.