T0243 Improving Freight Provision - Facilities

Specific objectives are to improve the quality and quantity of facilities on the SRN for the professional driver. The freight industry is currently experiencing unprecedented challenges as it strives to deliver goods and services across the country during a global pandemic. Challenges exist to recruit new drivers as a result of the industry's reliance on a large number of non-UK citizens to work for England's operators, at a time when the country has exited the EU. Improving the quality of existing freight facilities across the SRN where the project identifies key locations on high demand freight routes will positively impact the sector. This work will lead to increasing the number of freight rest areas and facilities while improving existing facilities and encourage more drivers to apply to work as a professional driver.