Reforming planning policy is critical to economic growth

It has become increasingly apparent in recent years that the National Policy Planning Framework (NPPF), a key piece of planning legislation, doesn’t do enough to support the needs of the road freight and road transport sector.

The current planning system hampers economic growth and hinders productivity. It’s critical to reform this system to enable economic growth.

The road transport industry overlaps with the planning system in the building of new operator yards, distribution centres, warehousing and, crucially, lorry and coach parking facilities. An effective NPPF with a clear strategic vision and outline of priorities is therefore essential.

Nowhere is the need for NPPF reform clearer than the chronic shortage of safe and secure parking. It’s estimated that there’s an 11,000 shortage of parking spaces and the Department for Transport’s own survey reported that parking spaces are near critical levels of capacity.

While local planning authorities assess new planning applications in line with the NPPF, the current guidance is too narrow and isn’t fit for purpose. This results in local authorities ignoring guidance, with many planning applications for lorry and coach parking facilities ultimately being turned down.

If we begin to address the issues around planning, we can introduce more secure parking and start tackling freight crime. As highlighted extensively by the RHA on BBC , freight crime is on the rise. To tackle it, we need tougher sentencing, more secure truck stops and better crime recording. We know from speaking with drivers and members that that the lack of safe parking is having a dramatic impact on the health and wellbeing of drivers and businesses who are critical to our supply chain.

The new government recently launched its consultation on proposed new wording for the NPPF and we welcomed this development.

While it's refreshing to see that the government wants to address one of the key barriers to housing and employment growth, we want to see the provisions extended to more safe and secure lorry and coach parking.

We will continue to raise this issue, and we will also continue to stress the importance of investing in infrastructure projects that allow the seamless flow of goods and coach passengers across the country without impediment.

We want to see infrastructure in place that creates reliable journeys, reduces costs for business, resolves congestion and unlocks economic growth through better connectivity between the UK’s towns and cities. In the weeks and months ahead, we look forward to engaging with the government on all these issues.

On NPPF specifically, during this consultation period, we'll engage directly with government. We must ensure that in the rush to unlock housing growth, other key issues such as driver wellbeing and vital infrastructure are not overlooked. We will be responding to the consultation to ensure it better reflects the critical role of the road transport sector across the country - beginning with more secure parking.

RHA Recommendations to Government:

• The Government must ensure that the NPPF clearly articulates how it can support the delivery of the Government’s mission-driven approach to unlock “good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country”

• The NPPF must strengthen its provisions around the need for driver facilities, specifically taking into consideration the need for secure lorry and coach parking spaces and driver welfare.
• NPPF should take into consideration any additional infrastructure required as vehicles move away from diesel towards alternative fuels like electric or hydrogen.

• Maintaining supply chain resilience should be at the heart of this reform, where local authorities should be required to provide plans that demonstrate how these priorities are delivered coherently.

We recently released a detailed document with a full set of recommendations for the new Government on how to address this, and the many other issues that directly impact the road transport sector. You can read Mission Driven: A Blueprint for delivery HERE.