Drivers slam Nightowl' huge parking price hike
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• Drivers have slammed truckstop operator Plightowrs plans to increase its overnight parking rates by over 70% to finance improved security at its service areas.
The charge will rise from 17 to 112 when Nightowl gives its sites a facelift over the next few months. Drivers are describing the increase as a rip-off, claiming that on the Continent drivers would boycott any tryckstop which behaved in this way.
Scott Walker, international driver representative for the Professional Drivers Association, says while the PDA would welcome increased security arid parking facilities a 70% increase seems "excessive".
Nightowl MD Peter Williams points out that
the firm plans to invest £1.5m on security acres; he has spoken to a number of oper whose primary concern is safe parking: "V planning on putting up electric fences, vehicle monitoring and road blockers. We hi have completed Wolverhampton, Rugby Aiconbury by Christmas, then begin wo other sites in the new year. We will not inc charges until work has begun at a site.
"For 112 a night drivers also get a voucher and a free shower. We also pi refurbish the wash facilities."
Jack Cressfield, secretary of the Di Action Movement, says MSA operators no understand the tight margins that ha face: "This increase will cripple drivers."