William Gilder, managing director of Gloucestershire-based William Gilder Group (WGG), is calling for changes in local planning processes, which he says are seriously exacerbating the nationwide shortage of safe HGV driver facilities.
£20 million of Government funding was pledged in April 2022 to improve security, lighting, and shower facilities at truck stops throughout the UK, however Gilder argues that not only is this a drop in the ocean but that improvements are yet to be seen by drivers on the frontline.
Mr Gilder said:
“The appalling safety track record of UK truck stops is a longstanding issue which needs to be much higher on the government’s agenda as well across the regions. Bureaucratic planning conditions and processes are preventing essential facilities getting past the first hurdles; without them, drivers face the prospect of having to park in dangerous locations which not only put themselves and their loads at risk, but is seriously impacting the wider supply chain. As the pandemic has shown, lorry drivers were pivotal in keeping the flow of critical supplies throughout the country operating and have the right to carry out their work without being exposed to undue risk due to negligent safeguarding and bureaucracy by local planners.”
The William Gilder Group, which operates a 150-space truck stop facility at its Teddington Hands site, close to junction 9 of the M5, employs more than 100 drivers and manages a fleet of almost 100 vehicles deployed all over the UK. In addition to a café and shower block, the WGG truck stop operates 24 hour CCTV and onsite security.
Mr Gilder adds:
“It goes without saying that truck stops need to be safe, but they also need to be within easy reach for drivers nearing the limit of their daily driving hours. In too many instances, a layby has been the only available space, and this poses obvious safety issues. As an industry, we need local planning officers to see the bigger picture when considering truck stop applications and to be much more aware of their importance to the nation and to the wider economy.”
Further information about William Gilder Group can be accessed at http://www.williamgilder.co.uk/.
