Town's bid for truck stop is set to succeed (From Warrington Guardian)

Town's bid for truck stop is set to succeed

MIDDLEWICH officials have been praised for their persistent efforts in trying to ensure an overnight lorry facility comes to the town.

As reported in the Guardian in October, Middlewich town councillor Mike Parsons raised concerns about the number of lorries stopping overnight and the resulting debris left behind, which included human faeces, bottles of urine and litter.

He also said that parked lorries are causing visibility problems for pedestrians and drivers using Brooks Lane, but acknowledged the problem stemmed from the fact that the town has no proper over night facilities for the volume of vehicles that stop in the town.

But Stephen Dent, project coordinator for the Middlewich Vision, has been in discussions with the Road Haulage Authority, and the British Parking Association about the logistics of developing a truck stop on Pochin Way at Midpoint 18 with the hope of pushing the project forward.

He said: "It is very much in its early stages but the feeling I've got from both of these associations is that there is a need for these facilities and we would like them to come and look at the feasibility of Middlewich having one at Midpoint 18."

And managers at the Road Haulage Authority praised Middlewich Town Council and the Middlewich Vision for being 'forward thinking' about the issue.

Malcolm Dodds, area manager of the northern region, said: "There is a national shortage of over night truck stops. We've been pushing for a network of truck stops so it is good news to hear that Middlewich is interested in accommodating one."

gsproston@guardiangrp.co.uk