§ Earl Attleeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the provision of service area facilities for drivers of heavy goods vehicles at South Mimms and Clacket Lane services on the M25 is adequate. [HL4128]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)Although the facilities at South Mimms and Clacket Lane, including the number of lorry parking spaces, meet the requirements which we place on their operators, traffic growth has increased pressure on lorry parking at both service areas. Proposals exist for further services on the western side of the M25 to help relieve the pressure but finding a site which is acceptable in planning terms has proved difficult. The department is meanwhile due shortly to meet representatives of the haulage industry, lorry drivers and service area operators to review ways of improving both the quantity and quality of lorry drivers' facilities throughout the motorway network.