Following two years’ construction, the new facility will be operated by Cartland Truck Stop Ltd and offers a restaurant, café, bathrooms, showers and more than 130 secure parking spaces, alongside service bays for vehicles. To support the transition to low-carbon logistics, the facility also includes two twin EV charging points capable of fully charging a modern electric HGV in 1.5-2 hours.
In addition to improving welfare standards, the site features a new pre-gate entry system that reduces waiting times and eases traffic flow around the terminal, helping to further reduce the impact of congestion on the local community, key factors in securing Southampton City Council’s approval.
Ernst Schulze, DP World Ports & Terminals Lead for Northern Europe, said: “I am delighted with the opening of this exceptional new facility that puts driver welfare at the heart of our Southampton operation. This £20m investment is a clear statement of our commitment to drivers, who are a vital part of the UK supply chain. By providing modern, secure, and comfortable facilities alongside cutting-edge EV charging, we are working to future-proof UK logistics while ensuring the people who keep trade moving are well looked after.”
Satvir Kaur MP, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, added: “The opening of this new facility by DP World is very welcome in Southampton. DP World’s recent investment into the Port has not only helped to ease local traffic flows for local residents and contribute towards tackling the climate crisis, but now also ensures that drivers are properly cared for. This project sets a strong national example of how greening our economy, can lead to additional benefits, from better welfare at work to less congestion on our roads. I wish it every success.”
The opening of the facility follows the launch of DP World’s Low Carbon Truck Programme (LCTP) at Southampton and London Gateway earlier this month, which will run for an initial two-year period and is designed to accelerate the decarbonisation of UK road freight by supplying participating hauliers with Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) at the same cost as diesel. Alongside the opening of the driver welfare facility, the programme is part of a wider effort from DP World to support its haulier customers in the UK.