Lymm Truckwash hopes to support HGV drivers with fuel bunker

The recent fuel shortages, due to a lack of HGV drivers, has emphasised the need to make the industry more appealing to get more willing drivers.

Managing director of Lymm Truckwash, Laura Cardwell, hopes they can do so with their controversial planning application appeal going through to create the bunker.

The plans have been refused by Warrington Borough Council and are now in appeal. The largest Truckwash in Europe has now spent £120,000 over four years on planning costs.

Residents and local council have objected due to it being on greenbelt land, but Laura says they are ‘being stopped and it’s madness’.

There are around 500,000 HGV operators in Britain and roughly 100,000 here at any time from across the continent.

Despite the objections, Laura hopes the appeal goes their way to provide better facilities for HGV drivers and help to encourage more people into the industry.

Laura said: “The government is behind it but what is stopping it is the local councils across the country. It’s on the greenbelt, 30 seconds off the M6, a vital part of the Strategic Road Network (SRN), it is previously developed and not fresh land. We are talking about 2 acres of land here!

“We are being stopped and it’s madness.

“It’s not pretty. No kids are going to play on it or animals are not going to graze on it. It’s very frustrating.

“I understand that they don’t want big trucks but 99 per cent of the goods you use come via a truck. I’d get it if we were trawling them five miles through the lovely countryside and back and parking them up, but we are also on a vital part of the country’s road network – it’s ideal.”

Laura, who worked at the truckwash for 14 years after it was established by her parents in 1967 and has owned it since 2018, hopes that the appeal can up the quality of the ‘horrible’ facilities too across the country too.

“If the appeal doesn’t go through it’s just another backwards step. The industry as a whole is not liked,” she added.

“The drivers just want to feel safe and be welcomed.

“It’s not an attractive industry to go into at the moment. You’re leaving home at three or four in the morning, you get your truck and off you go and you’re out all week.

“You have no idea where you are going to shower, eat or sleep. A lot of these facilities are expensive, unhealthy being fast food-based, some have had the same showers since 1997.

“That’s horrible. Europe is different they are government subsidised and have wonderful, safe facilities for HGV drivers.

“It’s really difficult.”

The truckwash is keen to support more drivers and welcome them into the industry

Laura, who is based near Whitchurch and grew up in Knutsford, feels that backing their appeal is one ways to move forward.

“Going forward, we are one of the solutions," added Laura.

"I’m all for preserving the greenbelt, but on something that is previously developed, let us use it for those drivers and make life better for them.

“To have a one stop shop for washing and fuel is a winner for the environment and other road users in my opinion.

“The fuel will be well lit and have security. I know, most of my customers will not fuel up in many HGV truck stops after dark because security and lighting are bad and they are worried for their personal safety and their load.

“We need to move with the times and keep up with the continent. Something has got to be done. It can be rectified. We need to sort the facilities and attract drivers back.”

The planning appeal is currently in appeal.