An independent truck stop near one of the UK’s busiest ports has highlighted the urgent need for better welfare facilities for lorry drivers. The site provides meals, health checks, and space for dozens of vehicles, but its owners argue that more must be done nationwide to tackle loneliness, poor conditions, and low morale across the industry. They stress that truck stops should focus not only on physical health but also on dignity and mental resilience for those keeping the country supplied.

Many drivers say proper facilities are hard to come by, particularly for women, with rest areas often offering little more than basic toilets and parking. Clean showers, healthy food, and safe places to rest remain scarce, leaving drivers dehydrated and exhausted. The Felixstowe stop, however, has been praised as an exception — providing home-cooked meals, laundry services, and secure overnight parking.

The decline of truck stops in recent years, often sold off for housing or warehouses, has worsened conditions for drivers who are increasingly forced to spend nights in laybys without security. At Felixstowe, free water and healthier menu options are offered as part of efforts to improve driver wellbeing and reduce fatigue.

For many on the road, the lack of contact and proper amenities makes the job isolating. Staff at the stop say offering a safe place, a smile, and even simple conversation can make a meaningful difference, turning a lonely profession into something a little more human.