Social listening conducted by SNAP, haulage’s digital marketplace, shows that drivers are opting for overnight parking in lay-bys, despite secure parking being an option.
When HGV drivers were prompted on SNAPs social media pages to share any dangerous or worrying moments they had experienced whilst parking in a lay-by, it revealed that 70% were actually less inclined to park at service stations or truck stops, citing the lack of security as their sole reason, often opting for a lay-by instead.
Various drivers voiced their frustrations at paying for parking where the security standards were insufficient:
“I only park in lay-bys or industrial estates. I have had my curtains cut when parking in services/truck stops. I refuse to pay for parking that is not properly secure.”
“Truck stops and service areas cost, and there is still a risk if they do not provide a security service.”
Research suggests it is not just drivers who are reluctant – 30% stated their fleet companies were unwilling to pay for truck stops or service stations, with one person noting: “Less and less companies, unfortunately, are paying for overnight parking. Facilities remain open by the skin of their teeth, cutting staff to meet bills and less parking coming in.”
In 2023, Cambridgeshire police alone reported a 380% rise in cargo crime from June to July. 46% of this occurred in streets or lay-bys, and 24% happened at service stations.
In 2021, freight crime cost the economy approximately £428 million – a figure on track to rise with more Organised Crime Groups targeting services and truck stops. A report published by NaVCIS suggests several factors are responsible for this rising cost – from limited police resources and lenient criminal justice outcomes to a significant lack of lorry parking facilities and insufficient security standards.
From SNAPs social media pages, 59% of truck drivers thought the UK lacked sufficient safe and secure truck stops compared to Europe, and feedback from SNAP’s Truck Park Tour, a series of events aimed at giving back to the truck-driving community, saw 31% of European drivers benefitting the most from access to exclusive, secure SNAP locations.
Across Europe, the security organisation TAPA is widely recognised – with many locations holding Level 1, 2, or 3 certifications. In contrast, the UK has just two locations carrying a TAPA certification – with SNAP PSR Level 3 trained Authorised Auditors accrediting the sites. Formula Services and The Red Lion both carry a Level 3 certification – with one offense reported at The Red Lion and none at Formula Services, despite its location in a high-crime area.
Image by Mirosław i Joanna Bucholc from Pixabay
Markus Prinz, Senior Manager of Standards, Training, and Certification at TAPA explains, “We fully support all activities in ensuring efficient and safe parking infrastructure for trucks and improving safety for truck drivers, vehicles, and cargo. By providing an open eco-system for the technical and economic optimization of the use of secure truck parking, we believe that the transition to secure truck parking can be boosted.”
“TAPA EMEA is really happy about our relationship with SNAP and the connected network opportunity to increase together our footprint against criminals and to attract more safe and secure parking places in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. For that reason, we would love to see and win more TAPA PSR-certified or Partner sites in the early future.”
In addition to the lack of safety drivers feel at truck parks and service stations, limited capacity also presents a problem, with 70% citing that secure truck stops nearby are at maximum capacity by the early evening.
“You can tell which stops have security because they are full by 6 pm.”
These frustrations are supported by data from TfL’s 2022 lorry parking survey stating that despite a 12% increase in on-site capacity from 2017-2022, it is not enough to support the 21% vehicle increase in the same period. Drivers have also called for additional funding from the Government to support security installations – suggesting the HGV Levy should be reinvested into the industry to provide more safe and secure truck parks.
In September 2023, £8 million was provided by the Department for Transport and Highways England to 39 roadside facility operators across England to improve amenities for truck drivers, with further funding of up to £100 million available until 2025 under the Government’s match-funding scheme.
Additionally, SNAP’s Access & Security team is beginning to support the companies who secured funding by actioning their improvements.
Matthew Bellamy, Managing Director at SNAP, said: “We have received a lot of invaluable feedback from drivers regarding the safety and security of service stations and truck stops across the UK. It has highlighted the huge amount of work that still needs to be done to improve the quality of truck parking.
“We recognise the part we must play in this and will continue to utilise our SNAP Access & Security team, who plays a pivotal role in improving security through installations. With a growing network of truck stops and MSAs adopting SNAP Account across the UK and Europe, we must ensure drivers and their cargo are kept safe. We understand the work that needs to be done and will continue to work with service providers to improve their offerings.”
