London, UK: The Department for Transport has withdrawn Kent County Council’s power to ban lorry parking in lay-bys in Kent.
The decision has been welcomed by the industry. Heidi Skinner, policy manager for the southeast, Logistics UK said: “Lorry drivers, who were deemed “essential” during the pandemic, must be able to take their legally required rests during the day without fear of prohibitions: while the existing shortage of between 1,000 and 1,200 HGV parking spaces in Kent continues: lay-bys are often the only option for those seeking somewhere to stop.”
Logistics UK is calling for new parking areas to be created and “it is now vitally important that DFT works closely with KCC to create sufficient safe parking spaces,” she said.
Logistics UK continues to call on Kent County Council to listen to the views of the logistics sector through its current consultation on lay-bys and show that further restrictions and enforcement are not imposed.
