Jessica O'ConnorUnite has urged industry stakeholders to move beyond analysis and take action to improve lorry driver facilities, following the publication of Transport Focus’s latest driver survey.
The survey reported a shortage of safe and secure lorry parks, with nearly two-thirds of drivers dissatisfied with both the number and availability of suitable rest locations.
According to the findings, inadequate facilities can limit drivers’ ability to rest properly and make it harder to maintain healthy routines, affecting both physical and mental wellbeing.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Lorry drivers are all too aware of the problem, what they need to see is action in improving and expanding facilities, the hand wring needs to end. Investment and finding workable solutions needs to happen now.
“The buck stops with employers; they need to be doing far more to resolve the problem. They talk a lot about driver welfare, but their main concern is their bottom line and boosting their profits.”
Unite national officer for the sector, Adrian Jones, added: “The logistics sector has more than enough facilities at distribution centres, if lorry drivers were allowed to use these much of the problem could be resolved. What is lacking is a desire to make this happen.”
Transport Focus’s findings come amid continued calls from industry groups for investment in rest areas and clarity over responsibility for upgrading facilities across the haulage sector.
