£20 million for roadside HGV driver facilities

£20 million of the existing National Highways’ £169 million Users and Communities Fund will be used to improve roadside facilities for HGV drivers. It’s part of the government’s continued efforts to boost driver welfare and remedy the driver shortage in the UK. The funding will be used to improve security, showers and eating facilities, as well as exploring an increase in parking spaces for HGV drivers. Roadside service operators are being encouraged to apply for the funding.

The funding takes total government investment in driver facilities to £52.5 million since 2021, with £32.5 million already committed in the Chancellor’s budget to drive up standards and safeguard comfort and safety. Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto hospitality said: “This announcement is a welcome boost for the UK’s hardworking HGV drivers and the sector. We look forward to making an application to this £20 million fund, which would allow us to accelerate our plans for enhanced security and increase the physical number of showers we can offer.”