Tom Cornwell, RHA Public Affairs Manager said: “There are simply not enough facilities on our roads leaving countless lorry drivers parked up overnight without access to a toilet or shower.
“Often the facilities they do find are in a terrible state. It’s a dehumanising experience for truckers – they deserve to be treated with more respect.”
His comments come after the GMB’s annual congress in Brighton this week was told that a lack of public toilets left drivers forced to ‘go’ anywhere, sometimes leading to prosecution and job losses, or urinate in a bottle.
Mike Tinnion, GMB London Region Delegate said: “This is a health and safety issue for professional drivers. Can you imagine being stuck behind the wheel and needing to use a toilet knowing there isn’t one you can use?
“If you risk not using a proper facility you can face prosecution and can lose your job. It’s degrading and embarrassing. I have heard of some real horror stories about what drivers are forced to do when they cannot find a toilet to use, and it’s worse for women.
“It’s scandalous and a problem that has been ignored for too long. Access to sanitation a basic human right. Reopening thousands of closed public toilets for all road users must happen as soon as possible.”
Key industry figures recently delivered a petition to No10 Downing Street calling for more safe and secure parking, and better standards at truck stops.
MPs have also signed a letter co-ordinated by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Road Freight and Logistics, who say improved facilities should be central to the Government’s plans to recruit, train and support commercial vehicle drivers.
Greg Smith MP, APPG Chair, said: “A key element of the issues around driver recruitment and retention is the poor state of our roadside facilities. It is imperative the UK ups our game, ensuring drivers have safe, secure, comfortable, and affordable options that they know they can rely on.”
The parliamentarians have joined forces with thousands of signatories, including truckers who have voiced their concerns through an RHA petition, urging the government to take action against the substandard conditions faced by commercial vehicle drivers at service stations and truck stops.
Notably, service station giants like Moto have also thrown their weight behind the campaign, with their endorsement.
Ken McMeikan, CEO, Moto Hospitality, said: “We have believed for a long time that the UK’s unsung heroes have been the HGV drivers and they deserve, given the challenges of their role, good, secure conditions where they can rest, eat, sleep and shower.”
He added: “That’s not too much to ask but sadly they are very wanting at the moment in many parts of the UK and we all have to do more.”
The Government’s National Survey of Lorry Parking Spaces found that usage of overnight parking facilities across the country is at a near critical level. The RHA estimates that 11,000 more parking spaces for HGV vehicles are needed.