The creation of an association to voice concerns about truck parking in Suffolk and lobby for improvements has received a tentative welcome from members. The Suffolk Lorry Park Association has been set up by Suffolk County Council (SCC) in an attempt to resolve growing problems over the number of spaces available, the provision of signage, funding and law enforcement.
Chairman Jason Skilton of SCC has appealed for patience among members, which include the owners of local truckstops and
restaurants, as well as Road Haulage Association and Highways Agency (HA) representatives. He says some issues may take time to iron out.
Orwell Crossing Lorry Park owner Karl Rout says it is too early to say whether the group will be successful, but he adds that it's better to be involved in the forum than to snub it: "If we're in the middle of it we can do more damage by shouting about it," he says. "We're hoping something will come out of it, but I don't know. The first thing they said is it has got no money."
Meanwhile, Rout says his business made a small profit in April and June, but a £6,000 loss in May. He hopes a recent planning application to advertise the lorry park to drivers on the A14 will not be rejected by the HA. The next meeting is due to be held in October.
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