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Full of eastern promises
Page 18
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Suffolk County Council has woken up to its Lorry parking problems and is trying to ease drivers' lives.
CM COVER STORY By Chris Tindall ANYONE STANDING on a bridge overlooking the A14 in Suffolk might question the dire need for secure rest areas for lorry drivers, The slowdown in the UK economy has left the road "deserted" — as Rob Summers, an instructor at driver training organisation A14 Training Services, describes it.
"The docks are absolutely flat," he adds. -You can get through the in-gate and out the out-gate [at Felixstowe] 20 minutes later! Two years ago, if you were doing it within two hours you were doing well."
But this reduction in container work at the UK's largest deep sea container terminal masks a problem that right up until the recession hit in Eastern England, particularly with the closure of Alconbury truckstop. Lorries still need to deliver goods — and when the economy picks up, residents will be reminded of the dearth of parking for drivers. A survey two years ago into lorry numbers found almost 1,400 HGVs parked up along the entire length of the A14. This included truck parks — but taking into account the county council's own admission that there are just 360 available secure parking spaces in Suffolk, many drivers must be not entirely convinced of their safety.
Building bridges
This is precisely why Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for highways, Guy McGregor, is trying to build bridges between the people he serves and the businesses that serve those people. He recently organised two events where councillors and the public could meet hauliers and find out their needs. -1 was concerned about the whole issue," he says. "We stand for election to get things done and have the confidence to carry those things through.
"The haulage industry is a huge employer in Suffolk. This whole process is there to raise awareness. County councillors and the public need switching on.The problem we are faced with is that the Highways Agency has no real policy regarding the HGVs coming through on these roads and where they can stop."
McGregor adds: "[The A14] is an international road. It's not our responsibility. It's the responsibility of the Highways Agency, but it affects our county. The focus of the Highways Agency until recently has been about the M25 and the M6. Part of these [open days] is to raise its profile McGregor is in an unenviable position. The presence of the port and the absence of motorways mean he is under pressure to help solve parking and congestion issues in Suffolk. The emergency procedure Operation Stack also brings with it logistical problems that directing lorries onto another nearby A-road doesn't solve. The pressure is not eased by him stating a year ago the council had two years to find a permanent solution to Stack.
"That was to focus everyone's minds," he replies, half in jest, adding: "It's not negotiable. The pressure on the police is really quite intense.I am not prepared to have a long-term lorry park up on the A45. We are working on it now. I can't give you a deadline. The problem we are faced with is resources."
Not all councillors are oblivious to drivers' problems. Levington parish councillor David Long says: "We are also concerned about the plight of the drivers. We pushed for catering facilities to be put in [Operation Stack] and toilet facilities."
Sympathy for drivers
Little Waldingfield parish councillor Peter Baker, a retired transport operations manager, adds: "I am very sympathetic with drivers. I don't think people appreciate what they are expected to do with all of the restrictions on them nowadays. More facilities would always help, with better standards."
The Road Haulage Association is impressed with the county council's efforts. Chrys Rampley, infrastructure manager, says: "This opens the eyes of councillors to the vital role of lorries in the county. At least they are taking on the issue, throwing a fair bit of resource at it. They have been very proactive compared to other councils."