News

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has thrown its support behind haulier JD Owen Transport Services' proposals to build a truck-stop on J31 of the A55 in north Wales. The plans, submitted by owner Dai Owen earlier this year, include a 9.3ha site off the B5122, just north of Caerwys, Flintshire, which would include space for up to 60 heavy goods vehicles and provide a new base for JD Owen.

Owen says it would take six to eight months to complete the project, but he could start "straight  away". Outline plans are due to be considered by Flintshire County Council in the next few weeks, once environ-mental assessments are completed. The FTA says Owen's proposals are a "novelty" and a "reversal of a current trend of closures throughout the UK". The plans already have support from the European Commission.

Meanwhile, a recent truck hijacking in a lay-by off the A55 near Caerwys has highlighted the need for more truck stops nationally, says Owen.

A driver from Austrian transport firm LKW Walter parked his truck early in the morning of 13 November. Three men approached the cab, smashed the window and threatened the driver with a handgun. He was bundled into the back of a vehicle, which was then driven to Skelmersdale, Lancs.

The driver was released unharmed, but the lorry and its load of domestic house boilers are still missing.

Owen says: "The [truckstop] I am proposing would help the situation - I believe it is vitally important we get planning  permission so incidents like this don't happen in the future."