Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, steps up calls for action to tackle HGV fly-parking.
Speaking in Parliament, the Cannock Chase MP once again raised the long-standing issue of HGV fly-parking, calling on the Government and local authorities to take action to tackle the problem which is faced by residents and businesses in and around Rugeley.
Local residential streets and business parks in Rugeley find themselves becoming makeshift overnight lorry parks, given a lack of suitable HGV parking and facilities in the Rugeley area. Serious nuisance and disruption is caused by HGVs parking up around the town because drivers arrive early for their delivery slot or they run out of hours on their tachometer so have little choice but to park in the area.
Amanda Milling MP said: “Residents and businesses in Rugeley face real issues as a result of HGV fly-parking. Such issues include blocked roads, litter left behind, and there have even been instances of human waste being thrown over fences. It is also a real issue for the drivers themselves as they are forced to park up with no facilities or toilets available. The fact is that Rugeley simply doesn’t have the space to accommodate large numbers of HGV’s waiting to make their deliveries”.
The Cannock Chase MP has been lobbying government, Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council and Amazon urging each party to play their part in addressing this problem. This has seen her call for more HGV parking and facilities, more effective enforcement and urging planners to not grant permission for more distribution centres and warehouses on the Power Station site.
The Cannock Chase MP added: "I have raised this at all levels of government, urging each to play their part in tackling the problem. I have also met with representatives from Amazon and I know that they have been looking to take various actions to address the problem. They have created some additional parking on their site and have been in addressing the problem directly with drivers. I hope these moves will mean residents and businesses will see some improvements."
The Cannock Chase MP has been meeting with local businesses who are connected to the issue and added, “I would like to thank businesses, like Amazon, who are aware of the issue and want to tackle it head on. Amazon have done additional work to their site in order to help to accommodate more lorries and also have plans in place to create parking for the HGVs delivering to their site safely in order to ensure that they are not contributing to the issue. This positive action will, I am sure, be welcomed by everyone in Rugeley.”