- A significant increase in the fines for foreign hauliers who ignore regulations on sleeping in cabins by the road is being considered by the government
- The fines could rise from £300 to £3,000
- Complaints UK hauliers were at a disadvantage
- Other European countries can impose fines equivalent to up to £26,000 for the same offence oversees
Gordon Henderson, Kent MP:
“That disparity results in an indirect and unfair cost on British haulage companies operating in Europe, while providing an advantage to European companies operating in the UK.”
“Hauliers in my constituency are upset that EU-based operators use Britain’s lax attitude to the enforcement of the 45 hour rest period to gain a commercial advantage.”
“Too often HGVs park up in residential roads, business parks, laybys and slip roads on trunk roads and motorways. Such parking is both inappropriate and dangerous.”
Jesse Norman, Roads Minister:
“We are looking hard at increasing these penalties, potentially putting them up to £3,000 for the most serious offences from a road safety perspective.”
“That would go some considerable distance to resolving some of these issues.”
On the plans to deal with the delay in the construction of a huge truck park for more than 3,000 lorries at a site near Stanford, Jesse Norman said:
“It is no surprise that Kent has been identified as a hot spot. Lorry parks are operating at full capacity and enforcement has to go hand in hand with better sites.”
What’s your view, is the proposed penalty increase enough?
