Local News · Swindon
HGV drivers sound alarm over escalating lorry parking crisis in Swindon
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Professional drivers claim that local industrial growth and strict site management are forcing HGVs to park on residential streets and grass verges.
HGV drivers are warning of an escalating crisis regarding lorry parking across Swindon, describing a situation where commercial vehicles are increasingly forced to occupy residential streets, laybys and industrial verges. Two drivers, speaking out about the systemic issues, have argued that the problem is rooted in structural failures rather than mere driver behaviour.
One driver, who operates within the Swindon area, pointed to the challenges surrounding the Amazon fulfilment centre as a primary example. According to the driver, many subcontractors exploit a regulatory loophole by nominating the distribution hub as their official operating centre on their licence, despite Amazon not permitting them to park on-site. This leaves drivers without a designated, secure space to take their mandatory rest breaks.
The legal requirements for HGV drivers are strict. Under DVSA regulations, drivers must take regular rest periods, including 11-hour daily breaks or a reduced nine-hour rest, and extended periods over the weekend. With local motorway service areas reportedly reaching capacity by late afternoon and charging between £35 and £40 per night, many drivers are struggling to find affordable or available space, leading them to use public land as default parking.
The issue appears to be borough-wide, affecting areas such as the Dorcan estate, Faraday Road, Frankland Road in Blagrove, and the Groundwell area. A second driver highlighted that current warehouse management practices exacerbate the situation. Automated entry systems and strict ANPR enforcement mean that drivers who arrive before their allocated time or exceed short turn-around windows are often turned away and fined, leaving them with no option but to park on public kerbs to avoid breaking Driver Hours regulations.
Looking ahead, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of the upcoming Panattoni Park development at the former Honda site in South Marston. The site, which is set to become one of the largest logistics facilities in the country, is expected to generate thousands of additional HGV movements daily.
Drivers have criticised Swindon Borough Council for its planning policies, arguing that new warehouse developments are routinely approved without requiring developers to build sufficient commercial truck-parking infrastructure. They warn that merely placing weight limits on residential roads or escalating complaints to the Traffic Commissioner does not solve the underlying issue, but simply shifts the commercial traffic to the next available neighbourhood or country lane.
An Amazon spokesperson stated that the company continues to review these concerns with their carrier partners. Swindon Borough Council has also been approached for comment regarding the future of infrastructure planning in the borough.
Source: Swindon Advertiser - Politics · View original