National Highways Lorry Parking Facilities Improvements Scheme

National Highways is promoting a funding scheme of up to £20m to improve lorry parking facilities used by heavy goods vehicle drivers who rely upon good quality, safe and secure rest areas. The Scheme is part of the National Highways Users and Communities Designated Fund. This grant provides lorry parking operators with support to improve HGV driver facilities through the provision of welfare facilities, parking and improved security. Motorway service area operators and operators of service areas that provide facilities for professional drivers at rest areas operated by the private sector on major trunk roads close to the strategic road network (up to radius of 5km) can apply for funds to improve their facility providing it offers benefits to professional drivers. Applicants must provide match-funding of at least 50% of the cost of the projects for which funding is sought. National Highways will fund up to 50% of the capital cost of an improvement project. Funding opportunities are to support improving facilities and increasing the number of parking spaces at existing sites which include a lorry park. The cost of resourcing and staffing future improvements is not included in the funding issued to a facility. Neither are normal running costs, general business overheads and direct or agency/contractor labour costs. Funds can be used to fund construction and refurbishment works, security equipment and installation, engineering and architecture and design, and fixtures and fittings. Proposals must improve HGV driver facilities or welfare in three areas: welfare facilities for drivers (including driver lounges, facilities recognising gender, disability and other protected characteristics, Wi-Fi, amenities), driver and site security (lighting systems, CCTV, monitoring equipment, secure fencing), and HGV parking capacity (increased parking spaces, improved configuration, electric charging infrastructure, dedicated areas for noisy vehicles).