Concern over lack of facilities for HGV drivers in Oxfordshire

There is "nearly a critical lack" of services for lorry drivers in Oxfordshire, a group representing the haulage industry has said.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) have highlighted a "real shortage" of facilities along the A34 and M40 for lorry drivers to safely stop.

One driver told BBC Radio Oxford that the situation was "shocking".

The Government recently announced £16m of investment in the country's truck stops including one in Oxfordshire.

In a statement, the RHA said: "It is crucial that drivers have access to proper roadside facilities if they are to effectively carry out the critical role of keeping supply chains moving."

"The lack of safe, secure parking and welfare facilities available to drivers is a real concern."

It also highlighted an increased risk of freight crime, which it said was a "constant danger to those who have no choice but to park off site in laybys and industrial estates".

Lorry driver Gareth Lewis, from Hook Norton, said facilities in Oxfordshire were "not good", and that drivers often feel "trapped" in the services.

"Although services are designed for us to stop, they don't want us stopping there because we're an inconvenience to them."

He added that if drivers parked in laybys, they were "running the risk" of having their load stolen.

The only place in Oxfordshire to receive some of the additional government funding was Cherwell Valley services on the M40, between Bicester and Banbury. It plans to use it to fund decarbonisation work.

A spokesperson from the Department for Transport said: "We remain committed to improving facilities for hauliers, which is why alongside industry we're supporting the sector by investing £31m to date to upgrade roadside infrastructure and rest areas in England."

"Additionally, we have established a dedicated taskforce to actively explore ways to improve standards at parking facilities."