LONG-DISTANCE truckers who spend their night stops in York sleeping in their cabs in lay-bys without toilets or washing facilities are calling for action from the council.
Members of the Transport and General Workers' Union Commercial branch, which represents about 500 large goods vehicle (LGV) drivers in North Yorkshire, and York TUC, say there is an urgent need for an out-of-town coach and lorry park instead of the city's existing LGV and coach parking - Kent Street for coaches and St John's Street for LGVs and coaches.
The unions have condemned the existing parks as "totally inadequate" and fear one or both may soon be built on "given the council's anti-motor vehicle policies".
They point to the number of drivers who park up in lay-bys on routes such as the A19 and A64, with no facilities, rather than use the existing council parks.
Representatives want a meeting with Roy Templeman, City of York Council's director of environment and development services, to push for an out-of-town park. So far they have had no response.
But the council has argued that the St John's Street parking facility was set up after a survey of LGV and coach drivers.
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