Freight and Logistics APPG welcomes National Lorry Parking Survey
The Department for Transport has announced it will begin a national audit of lorry parking facilities throughout 2026, having last done so in 2022.
Consulting firm WSP has been commissioned to conduct the research towards the National Survey of Lorry Parking 2026, with auditors visiting every lorry parking site in England to assess:
Type and location of the facility
Capacity and utilisation
Parking charges
Site accreditation/industry standards
Facilities available for drivers
Vehicle‑related services
Relevant operational features
The survey comes at a critical time, with an estimated shortage of 11,000 parking spaces forcing drivers to compromise their safety and welfare by stopping in laybys, as well as planning barriers stalling the creation of new facilities.
Findings from the survey will support forecasting of future lorry parking needs and provide robust, material evidence of the scale and nature of parking demand, helping to support planning applications, local development decisions, and future investment in HGV parking provision.
The APPG for Freight and Logistics welcomes the commissioning of this research as an essential step in tackling the current shortcomings in the lorry parking landscape.
A spokesperson from WSP said:
“WSP is delighted to be awarded the National Survey of Lorry Parking Audit 2026 by the Department for Transport. This commission will provide a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of lorry parking capacity , distribution, and HGV driver wellbeing facilities across England, supporting government action to improve driver welfare, enhance roadside facilities, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Building on our proven track record of delivering lorry parking studies, we look forward to applying advanced analytics and operational insight to help shape future investment and policies for a safer, more sustainable Strategic road freight network.”
Ferdy Willans, Public Affairs Manager at the Road Haulage Association, said:
“We welcome the Department’s commissioning of the 2026 Lorry Parking Survey. As the industry knows all too well, both the quality and quantity of facilities in England are far below the standard needed to support Lorry drivers using both the Strategic Road Network and local roads, this survey will allow us to better quantify what improvements are needed but also where additional capacity is most urgently required.”