Kentish Express Ashford & District
Truckers can book parking with app
The problem of truckers parked illegally on the county’s roads may ease after a service station launched a new real-time parking app.
MyTruckparking.com will allow lorry drivers to book space at the Ashford International Truckstop near junction 10 of the M20.
The system gives real-time alerts and avoids wasting time emailing countless registration numbers to book vehicles on site.
The free-to-download web app gives freight companies and drivers a pre-paid account to book a space ahead.
A series of brochures have been produced in Czech, English, French, Polish, German, Hungarian and Slovakian to promote the service.
Ashford MP Damian Green was pleased to see the new measure adding it “will reduce the number of lorries parked in inappropriate places around Kent”.
Kent County Council transport chief Cllr Matthew Balfour said it is “a major step forward in helping HGV drivers better manage their hours and give them certainty by having a guarantee of secure parking”.
It is hoped the device will improve efficiency and stop the truckstop, owned and run by GSE Group, from having to turn away an average of 50 to 60 vehicles each night as it operates close to its 300 vehicle capacity.
Darren Smith, general manager of Ashford International Truckstop, said: “Demand for secure overnight lorry parking is at an all time high.
“Freight companies will be able to demonstrate to their suppliers and insurers that the driver, and load, is safe with many customers and insurance companies now making it a requirement.”
Natalie Chapman, regional head of policy at the Freight Transport Association, added: “Lorry drivers do a tough job and need safe, secure truck parking facilities to rest so systems such as MyTruckparking.com which help drivers make informed decisions about where to park, can only make their lives easier.”