Government policy changes will permit the development of truckstops on the motorway network.

Mike Penning, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, recently announced that as a result of the roadside facilities policy consultation that closed last year, the government will make policy changes to permit the development of truckstops on the motorway network. 

The consultation identified strong support for the development of truckstops.  Proposals for dedicated truckstop facilities will now be considered in the context of existing and/or proposed rest facilities on the strategic road network and will be determined on their individual merit.  This will include truckstop facilities that can be accessed direct from motorways – motorway truckstops – which are a type of facility not permitted until now. Where there is evidence to demonstrate that demand for lorry parking exceeds supply, the development of truckstop facilities at existing service areas would be viewed favourably. Proposals for motorway truckstops are unlikely to be supported if they would prevent a potential motorway service area being built.

Mr Penning also said, “I am considering ways to reduce regulation, increase competition and improve still further the quality of motorway service areas. To this end, I have instructed officials in my department to identify those elements of the policy that might instead be better determined at a local level through the current planning system.”  He continued: “I have also instructed my officials to work with the Department for Communities and Local Government to consider how best to take these issues forward in the context of the National Planning Policy Framework. Separately, we will produce an associated DfT technical note, setting out requirements in respect of road safety and operational issues.”