Just spotted four lorries, seemingly in convoy, heading down Cary Lane to park up overnight in the car park near Lidl's store. Not an unusual sight, but what will happen to such trucks if/when the new Tesco store is constructed? This isn't really an issue for Tesco, but it set me wondering what, if anything, the Brigg community gets from these trucks parking up overnight. Do the drivers pop into town pubs for a soft drink or maybe one or two pints? Do they do a bit of food shopping (you'd hope including Lidl) to take back to eat in the cab, or perhaps enjoy an Indian or Chinese meal or takeaway? In the current economic climate, Brigg doesn't want to lose any regular trade, however small it might seem.
It remains to be seen where these drivers will find to park their lorries overnight - presumably away from our town - if Tesco's store wins planning approval.
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4 comments:
Lorry drivers are probably the most monitored workers in this country.
There are strict laws about working hours, driving hours, rest periods, daytime driving, night driving hours, speed and gross weighs.
A tachograph monitors their every move.
They cannot sleep in their cab, unless the cab has a properly designed sleeping area. In which case most truckers will have their own cooking, often microwave, fridge, tv - essentially, it's a simple caravan....but no loo!
Hgv (7.5 tonnes and above) drivers are not permitted to park overnight on public highways. On the road, many will stop at properly designated truck stops, motorway service stations or on private land. In many cases they have to pay (about £15) parking fee - if its a motorway services this will include a breakfast and shower facilities.
This fee, unless they are self-employed should be reimbursed by their firm.
Each driver should receive a £20 (about) overnight tax-free allowance when staying out overnight.
By law there has to be a minimum gap of ?8hours between one day's driving and the next. If the driver starts driving before 4am, it's regarded as night driving for the rest of the day and they can only drive for 8 hours max, instead of 9.
There are hgv drivers who stay overnight going from base to x to base and there are drivers who stay out overnight each night of the working week - the latter are known as 'trampers' in the trade.
Excluded from the Lidl's site, such drivers could find some private land down Ancholme Way possibly, but this could be rather isolated and calls into question security and welfare. Barney's Cafe at Barnetby Top offers an overnight truck stop.
But if industry evolves in and about Brigg there may be a need to offer a truck-stop faclity within, or just outside Brigg.
Certainly, properly designed truck stops are a big thing about the motorway system.....and if the Immingham development and the offshore windfarm comes to fruition then there will be a bigger demand locally for such over-night parking for the hgv drivers who travel here and thither about the country's motorways.
As an aside to the truck problem, Scribbler, pre-empting any official decision, a more pressing issue could be - where do the extra shoppers park?
Looking as Tesco plans, the car park does not seemingly increase proportionately with the size of he proposed new store.
Hence, a number of issues:
1. Tesco could reduce, or withdraw their 3 hour waiting.
2. To avoid paying NLC car-park charges, more motorists will park on-street about Brigg.
3. NLC car-park fees will seriously exacerbate the Brigg retailers' problem of attracting high-street shoppers.
4. Because of the above, Brigg-based workers needing to park locally could be displaced.
5. Not parking - but to avoid congestion, the attraction to cross the bridge and access Tesco, via Cary Lane from the Market Place could increase.
6. Similarly, how many motorists, exiting Lidl's and seeing congestion will route via estate side roads?
We aren't suggesting for a minute that the council funds a Lorry Park in Brigg. However, some enterprising landowner might well spot that this demand is going to arise and step in. If you have land serving no useful purpose, then this could be a use for it. However, the EU/Government/Council is bound to have a miriad regulations and hoops to jump through, so maybe not. Shame, that, as there WILL be a demand for such a facility.
A very good example of truck stop is the one near Junction 1 of the M18 - Rotherham/Hellaby - it's called 'The Stockyard'
- has capacity for 200 hgv's; a restaurant/pub with abolution facilties for truckers.
The restaurant is open to all - great big cheap meals - steaks the size of a plate.
Useful place to stop if travelling in thst area - better than Doncaster Services at the M180/M18 junction. Just have coffee - no obligation - in clean/smart surroundings.
Location: The Stockyard - from north off the M18 - Junction 1 - turn left - next left at roundabout - follow road past industrial units and The Stockyard is on the left just before the road narrows into country lane.
None of this greasy spoon image.
Being a truck stop there's a ready made supply of punters.....income from parking, while the main concentration is upon running the pub/restaurant.
Needs some local entrepreneur to see potential around Brigg - Barnetby Top?
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