CITY planning chiefs have approved a £12m scheme that aims to prevent HGVs from having to park in public roads surrounding Southampton docks.
Associated British Ports has been given the go-ahead to build a 130-space lorry park in the Western Docks, plus toilets, showers and a cafe for the drivers.
The application said: "The rationale is to improve the efficiency and safety of operations associated with the container terminal.
"When the terminal experiences delays or unexpected issues the current pre-gate area quickly becomes full and it becomes necessary for HGVs to be turned away.
"HGVs end up parking on the public highway network which generates a number of safety and social issues.
"There's now a general acknowledgment that HGV drivers do not work under very pleasant conditions. They often work long hours, spending time away from home, and the facilities they have to use are often not of a particularly high standard.
"These issues are a contributing factor to the current HGV driver shortage that has been well reported.
"The truck park will reduce the number of port-related lorries queuing and parking on local roads as well as improving the welfare of drivers by providing services that are currently not available within the port.
"The development will not increase the capacity or throughput of the container terminal."
In a letter to the city council, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce said: "The port plays a significant part in the city and the region. Its economic development and growth are essential.
"This provision will assist to reduce parking elsewhere in the city and ensure a suitable alternative within the Western Docks is available."
The application was also backed by Meachers Global Logistics, of Mauretania Road in Nursling.
Its letter of support said: "We welcome plans for a long overdue HGV parking facility in the city, which is one of the busiest container ports in the UK.
"Thousands of trucks come into Southampton but there's no parking apart from the services on the M27, which are outside the city and not secure.
"When truckers are delayed at the port they often run out of driving hours, leaving them with only industrial estates or residential streets to park in - with no welfare facilities available."
A council report said the scheme aimed to ease congestion within the port and reduce the demand for off-site parking.
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