The funding will be taken from the National Highways Users and Communities Fund, a five-year £936 million pot focused on improving four designated areas: Safety and Congestion, Environment and Wellbeing, Users and Communities, and Innovation and Modernisation.
The aim of the facilities funding will be to boost driver welfare and, hopefully, assist in recruitment during this time of driver shortage in the global HGV sector.
Roadside service operators can apply for a grant from the fund to improve security, lighting, shower and eating facilities, as well as for the improvement of parking areas for HGV and commercial vehicle drivers.
Chief Executive, Nick Harris, said that National Highways is committed to helping all road users reach their destination safely and it is hoped that the £20 million will "go some way to achieving this goal".
Baroness Vere, Roads Minister, said that commercial drivers play a key role in the nation's economy and it is vital that they are comfortable and safe when they stop for rest and recuperation. She added that this was the reason behind the latest funding to "ramp up" security and improve facilities for commercial drivers.
Head of policy engagement at Logistics UK, Mags Simpson said that lorry drivers are legally required to take regular rest breaks and are mandated to make overnight stops, so it is vital that these key workers have access to "a safe place to take these breaks" and are able to use good bathroom and catering facilities.
While these improvements are largely aimed at HGV drivers, it is recognised that delivery drivers of smaller commercial vehicles are also the backbone of the nation – with home deliveries becoming the shopping option of choice for many people in recent times, and tradespeople also being required to travel longer distances to carry out their work.
So, it is hoped that they will also benefit from improved roadside services.
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