PRESS RELEASE: Goldstar Demands Better Facilities for HGV Driver Welfare

Enough is enough. It’s time to improve the industry for HGV Drivers.

Join our ‘Better Breaks, Safer Stops’ Campaign to put pressure on the UK Government to ensure all designated HGV stops have quality facilities that reflect the number of HGV’s they can hold – including lights, fencing, CCTV and adequate security.

Goldstar Transport are announcing the ‘Better Breaks, Safer Stops’ Campaign to improve the industry for HGV Drivers, on the back of the RHA’s 12-point Action Plan.

Brexit, IR35 and the Covid-19 crisis are just the latest in a number of long-standing barriers to entry into the UK haulage industry. The current driver crisis proves that we need to encourage new and returning drivers, and we believe that a key part of this is ensuring improved minimum standards for all HGV Parking Facilities.

Every driver has a story to tell about poor quality, lack of security and insufficient facilities at rest stops.

The Global Pandemic has put incredible pressure on our industry and proved once again how HGV drivers are the backbone of our economy.

The UK Government acknowledged as far back as 2010 that there was a shortfall of secure, safe places for our drivers to park and yet little has been done to rectify the situation. No other industry has to ‘make do’ with the conditions drivers in the industry find themselves in.

• 80,000 HGV qualified drivers in the UK don’t work as drivers.
• In 2017 the Government admitted that there was a vital need for 1,411 parking spaces in England. No action was taken. In 2021, there is a shortage of between 1000 and 1200 HGV parking spaces in Kent alone.

We all have our systems of recommended stopping places, but strict rules require drivers to stop at defined time intervals but traffic congestion can make it impossible to reach planned stopping points within allowed driving times.

Steve Jones, Goldstar Transport General Manager says:

“We recognise the high standards some HGV Parking Facilities provide and thank companies like Snap for making it easier for drivers to access facilities, but we believe there needs to be more safe, secure and suitable places for HGV Drivers to rest. We shouldn’t be having to advise our drivers of no-go locations.

In an industry where breaks are mandatory, strict rules prevent our drivers from driving further to what might be considered a ‘safer stop’. A network of quality, secure rest stops across the UK should be mandatory too.”

We believe higher standards need to be put in place to enable our drivers to rest when they take their breaks, not watch their backs and their cargo.

As we continue to keep Britain moving, it’s time for the Government to deliver.

If we are to curb this crisis and ensure road haulage is an industry that people want to build a career in, we need to put pressure on the government to ensure all designated HGV stops have adequate facilities for the number of HGV’s they can hold – including lighting, fencing, CCTV and appropriate security.

If you’re a transport industry business who agrees with us – get in touch. If you’re a UK Rest Stop or Motorway Services who wants to get involved and fly the flag for industry improvements – get in touch.

We need to take action – our industry and our drivers deserve so much better.

To become a part of the campaign and receive all of the latest updates click here.

Takeaways and Statistics

• We’re calling on the industry to join us and put pressure on the Government to ensure all designated HGV stops have adequate rest facilities, lighting, fencing, CCTV and appropriate security.
• 80,000 HGV qualified drivers in the UK don’t work as drivers.
• CargoNet reported 1,502 total theft events for 2020 compared with 1,106 in 2019 and 1,181 in 2018. This was despite being on total lockdown for most of the year. Truck and Container thefts are set to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2021.
• A network of safe, secure stops across the UK should be mandatory in line with the UK’s strict British Domestic Hours Rules.
• In 2017 the Government admitted that there was a vital need for 1,411 parking spaces in England. No action was taken. In 2021, there is a shortage of between 1000 and 1200 HGV parking spaces in Kent alone.
• All designated HGV stops need adequate facilities that reflect the number of HGV’s they can hold – and lighting, fencing, CCTV and appropriate security. The UK Government needs to provide support for businesses to do this.
• We will also be launching an accreditation scheme as a thank you to the businesses that already go above and beyond for drivers. Rest stops that meet the required standards will get a gold star accreditation as recognition.

Any media enquiries please contact

Steve Jones, General Manager Goldstar Transport

Tel: 01394 600523 Ext: 2030

Mobile: 07975776400

Email: steve.jones@goldstartransport.co.uk

Goldstar Transport Ltd, Parker Avenue, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 4HF