Secure lorry parks could prove to be a highly profitable diversification prospect for landowners located near trunk roads or motorway junctions.
This unusual proposition could be worth up to £50,000 per annum in rents with a potential £500,000 in income available if the land owner retains involvement in the site development and management.
“As the volume of lorry freight increases, the already woefully inadequate lorry parking facilities are being put under further strain resulting in illegal or unsuitable parking in residential areas, business parks and lay-bys,” explains Andrew Ranson.
“Secure parking facilities are vital to enable drivers to meet customer delivery schedules and combat the increase in criminal activity and road hazards.”
Northamptonshire alone has approximately 1,000 lorries per night parked on its highways, making the drivers prime targets for crime. On average, two lorries are stolen or broken into in the county every day. Some of the attacks have been so determined that they have even involved gassing sleeping drivers.
The call for an increase in secure parking is backed by a number of professional bodies including freight insurance companies, the police force and the Road Haulage Association (RHA).
RHA infrastructure manager Chrys Rampley says: “This is not rocket science. As the volume of lorry freight increases, so does the need for safe, secure parking facilities. We need to see a long term solution, not a short term fix.”
“The scarcity of parking facilities,” explains Andrew, “means that landowners near trunk roads and motorway junctions have a valuable opportunity to obtain planning permission for such a lorry park.
“We are assisting a number of clients through the complex planning process. Once planning is obtained, we can advise on the full range of options available, depending on how involved the land owner wants to be and how much time and capital is to be invested.”
The logistics of secure lorry parks:
For further information contact Andrew Ranson on 01295 226288 or email andrew.ranson@fishergerman.co.uk
