The IRU, the global road transport organisation, and the ETF, the European Transport Workers’ Federation, have welcomed the European Commission’s launch of a call for proposals for €100 million in funding from the CEF to improve the network of safe and secure truck parking areas (SSTPAs) across the EU.
With only 300,000 truck parking spaces currently available in the EU, there is a significant shortfall of 100,000 spaces to meet overall demand. Only 7,000, or less than 3%, of existing parking spaces in the EU are located in safe and approved areas.
As social partners in EU road transport, the IRU and ETF have urged additional support to improve conditions in the sector, and appreciate that the EU has heard and acted on their joint call. Investment priorities include developing new SSTPAs approximately every 100 kilometers along the TEN-T core road network and upgrading safety, security and services in existing rest areas, in line with the EU-funded study on EU parking standards in which the IRU participated.
Raluca Marian, EU Advocacy Director at IRU, said: “This new allocated EU funding for SSTPAs is excellent news for the commercial road transport industry. We look forward to deploying the maximum number of new car park projects and call on Member States to work closely with Interested parties to apply to the EU Call for Proposals This opportunity could make a big difference for drivers and operators in the coming years.
Christina Tilling, Head of Road Transport at the ETF, said: “Having sufficient and safe parking areas, with adequate facilities, would certainly be a step towards improving conditions for drivers in the road sector, so we can only welcome this initiative.
The IRU and the ETF will continue to work closely together, within the framework of the European Social Dialogue, to support EU truck parking standards and promote the establishment of new and updated SSTPAs across Europe. The IRU and the ETF are confident that this call for proposals will be replicated through similar annual calls under the Connecting Europe Facility as well as under the European Cohesion Fund to meet EU commitments of over €600 million in funding over three years.
