West Midlands MEP Daniel Dalton recently met with North Warwickshire MP, Craig Tracey to discuss concerns about HGV's being parked overnight on roads near Hams Hall.
Many HGV's, mainly from Eastern Europe, continue to park overnight in industrial estates in and around Hams Hall, with the affects being particularly felt in Coleshill. Vehicles are parking overnight on the road, and at peak times over 100 trailers on the road. This is causing both safety risks, and environmental concerns due to the build-up of vehicles and the increase in waste.
Daniel Dalton MEP is raising the issue at EU level, both with regards to possible funding for a lorry park in the area and for changes to drivers working conditions at EU level to bring them in line with those in force for UK drivers which would ensure they drivers had an overnight allowance to cover entrance fees to lorry parks.
Craig Tracey MP has called for a debate in Westminster to discuss this further.
Daniel said, “There are serious safety concerns for local drivers with reported incidents of anti-social behaviour and close near-miss accidents at night."
"There is also a welfare issue for the lorry drivers themselves, who are often from Eastern Europe and on relatively low salaries. Although some lorry parks are available, unlike on the continent most charge entrance fees which few European drivers are prepared to pay unless they receive a dedicated allowance that can only be used for this purpose, as is the case for many UK HGV drivers."
Craig Tracey MP said, “There is clearly an issue here that needs a solution. Coleshill Cllr Peter Fowler continues to make us aware of residents’ concerns regarding lorry parking in residential areas. After a number of attempts to reduce overnight HGV parking on residential roads, I am pleased that our MEP Dan Dalton will be taking this further with the EU – encouraging European HGV drivers who are in the UK to park in more suitable areas will help."