III Problems caused by the disappearance of the traditional transport
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cafe have been exacerbated by the closure of laybys which, as CM reported last year (20-26 September 1990), is forcing drivers to travel further afield to find a place to stop.
The Road Haulage Association's South-East area chairman Roger Wrapson says he is concerned that laybys are being closed because of "a certain perceived nuisance value, without realising the problems this gives CVs". Wrapson wrote to councils at county, district and parish level pointing out the importance of these sites to drivers if they are to take their required breaks and keep within the law. He is convinced that there is a plan to close laybys on the A23 and regrets the absence of anywhere to stop on the M23. Kent County Council's highways department closed laybys on the A2 under instruction from the Department of Transport, citing concern for safety. The Association of County Councils told CM that councils wanting to close laybys have to follow procedures which depend on the type of road.
Last year CM checked up on the truckstops along the Great North Road from York to Grantham, and then cross-country to Birmingham.
We found a few good, traditional truckstops; a number of roadside caravans — and a sign outside Barnsdale Bar Service reading: "Cars only. No heavy goods vehicles." TGWU Midlands Regional Officer Dennis Mills' reaction to that was blunt: "So who delivers the food to this bloody place? Does it arrive by pushbike? It's about time my lads took signs like this seriously and refused to enter Little Chef sites."
More recently the TGWU attacked a decision by Richmond Council to stop lorry parking on the Old Deer car park adjoining the A31. The TGWU gained support from Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary John Prescott who is taking the matter up with Richmond Council. Prescott says: "It is a disgrace these facilities are being taken away from lorry drivers — the Government obsession with ideology has failed to provide adequate roadside facilities for lorry drivers." He promises that Labour's planned National Transport Forum will put the provision of driver facilities firmly on the agenda.