Demands for trunk road catering laws
Page 23
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Legislation to require catering establishments on trunk roads to provide facilities for lorry drivers is being urged on Mr John Peyton, Minister for Transport Industries.
Mr Joe Ashton, Labour MP for Bassetlaw, wants the licensing regulations which apply to motorway service areas to cover roadside cafes on major trunk roads.
Drivers' difficulties in finding somewhere to park their heavy vehicles while they stop for refreshment have been increased by the take-over of many transport cafes by the Forte "Little Chef" establishments.
There are now about 100 "Little Chef' cafes throughout the country. The company's policy is to provide two seats for every parking space and no provision is made for lorries.
"It has got to the position where there are long stretches of road with nowhere where they can get a meal." said Mr Ashton.
"Many drivers in the Worksop area, some of whom have to take milk bottles to Aberdeen on a three-day trip, are finding increasing difficulty in finding somewhere to pull in," he said.
Direct appeals to the Forte organization to provide facilities have been turned down on the grounds that they are there to do business and not provide a service for lorry drivers.
"Drivers are compelled to stop every five hours for refreshment." said Mr Ashton. "Many are being forced to leave trunk roads and drive along narrow roads to find somewhere to eat.
"If the law requires drivers to stop it should also provide that those granted licences to open catering establishments should make facilities available for them," Mr Ashton insisted.