Transport minister Paul Clark has unveiled a new action plan to help improve the standards of lorry parking facilities in Britain.
The long-awaited strategy will see guidance offered to operators and local authorities on increasing the quantity and quality of truck stops available to drivers.
As part of the plans, the department of transport will also look to raise coverage of lorry parking facilities in local and national planning documents.
Mr Clark said: "We hope that providing new guidance to councils, helping specific shortages to be identified and encouraging best practice among operators will lead to an improvement in the quality and consistency of facilities available to lorry drivers."
He added that the freight industry is "vital" to the UK economy and must have the provisions it needs to operate safely and efficiently.
The announcement was welcomed by the Road Haulage Association, which had been working with officials and the industry for some time to help develop the plan.
Although there are no quick-fix solutions to the problem, the group said the strategy gives "important profile and commitment" to making progress.
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