A specialist facility for lorry drivers who need to stop overnight near Swindon will get a big chunk of cash to make upgrades to facilities and security.
Swindon Truckstop, near the Sainsbury’s supermarket off the A420 at the White Hart Roundabout, will be granted £85,000 from the government’s HGV parking and driver welfare scheme, which is jointly funded by Whitehall and the haulage industry.
The stop, which is just yards off the A419 and a few minutes from the M4, is one of 39 sites to share out £19m - £8m from the government and £11m from the transport industry.
The government says it will allow stops like Swindon to increase their parking capacity, meaning a safer night’s rest for drivers who might otherwise have to sleep in a layby, as well as upgrading restaurants, rest areas and shower facilities.
North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson was very pleased by the award and said: “This is a vital boost for Swindon as we deliver on our promise to improve the working conditions for lorry drivers as we secure our supply chains."
After announcing the awards Roads Minister Richard Holden said: ”Justin Tomlinson has been campaigning hard for this and I’m so glad that Swindon has got £85,000 for safer more secure lorry parks that improve driver welfare, reduce crime with greater security and ensuring there are better places for lorries to stay when they need to stop, rather than at the roadside."
He added: “Day and night, our lorry drivers and hauliers work tirelessly to deliver essential food, goods and medical supplies up and down the country.
“As we continue supporting the haulage sector in playing its crucial role in helping to grow the economy, these first winners will help ensure lorry drivers have great facilities where they can safely park, sleep and rest.
“With hauliers required to take mandatory breaks and rest periods, building better roadside facilities will improve the quality of HGV drivers’ rest and recovery, ensuring everyone can feel safe on our roads.”
The minister said the decision on where to award funding used the national survey on lorry parking which gives evidence on where and what sort of improvements are needed.
Swindon Truckstop is owned by Mabanaft Ltd, which bought the facility last September.
The manager at Swindon was not available to comment, and a request for comment from Mabanaft’s head office has not yet been answered.
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