Truckers 'might not speak to anyone for days'

The owner of an independent truck stop has called for better welfare support for drivers using one of the UK's biggest container ports.

Andy Proctor is behind the Felixstowe Truck Stop in Suffolk, which provides services for up to 50 lorries offering food and welfare care such as blood pressure checks.

Mr Proctor said he had "personal insight" into the low morale and loneliness experienced by long-distance lorry drivers after spending six months on the road more than a decade ago.

He hoped something similar could be rolled-out at other independent truck stops.

"This isn't just about weight, blood sugar, or heart conditions," he said.

"It's about dignity and mental resilience for a top bunch of men and women who are, quite literally, keeping the UK moving while often being overlooked, spoken down to and unappreciated."

Mr Proctor has also created a website showing short and long walking routes with map pins and signage to help drivers get some exercise.

Jenny Jack drives an HGV and loves her job which she said was "hard work" but "fulfilling".

She said rest points on roads were often "rubbish" for women, with men often forced to use women's facilities because of a lack of male toilets.

She described the Felixstowe Truckstop, on Walton Avenue just outside the Port of Felixstowe, as "very rare" and praised its home-cooked food.

"There's everything here — you can get a meal, shower, toilet, toothpaste, washing machines, it's clean and everyone is absolutely friendly," she said.

"It makes a massive difference."

She added, it could be draining not having enough facilities, with many drivers dehydrated from not drinking enough water due to shortage of rest stops on journeys.

Matt Dangerfield is the co-owner of the Felixstowe Truckstop and also runs a haulage firm, so said he also understood drivers' needs.

He said the number of truck stops had declined over recent years as the rising value of the land saw rest stops sold for housing or warehousing.

The cafe does not offer fried food in an attempt to be healthier and all drivers are offered free water, important to help prevent dehydration, which can antagonise blood pressure and tiredness.

The stop also aimed to offer a safe and secure environment for drivers to park up and sleep.

"It's not really fair to expect your lorry driver to act as a security guard overnight," Mr Dangerfield said.

"If they're parking in a layby, there is almost no security."

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Ian Marsh, who has been driving a lorry for 32 years, said things have got very bad over recent years with fewer facilities.

Peeing in a bottle was now a regular occurrence for many drivers.

"We're at the bottom of the pile of working facilities," he said.

"We get overlooked. We deliver to all the shops but we don't get recognised for it."

As much as he likes his job, Mr Marsh said at times he hardly spoke to anyone.

"It is a lonely industry and you might not get to speak to anybody for a couple of days to have a proper conversation, and that does affect a lot of people."

Louise Luck is the truckstop manager. She sees herself as offering drivers the chance to interact with "a real person".

"I'm an ear; sometimes I'm an agony aunt; sometimes they just need to see a smiley face," she said.

"It's really important to be that person that they need.

"It's good to be kind, have a bit of patience, and understand some people's day has not been as good as you think."

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