A COUNCILLOR has urged West Yorkshire to bid for cash to improve its "despicable" HGV services.

In the Budget last month Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged £32.5 million to improve lorry park facilities across the country.

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority's Transport Committee yesterday Councillor Martyn Bolt (Cons, Mirfield) said the region should make sure it got some of the cash, as existing West Yorkshire facilities were sorely lacking - often without toilet facilities.

He said he had been in touch with unions, including Unison, about how local HGV parking facilities could be improved, but had yet to receive a response.

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He added: "I hope we can get some bids in for this new money, because paying £10 to park on a bit of tarmac with no toilets is despicable."

Committee Chair Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe (Lab, Windhill and Wrose) said: "£32m nationally is not a lot.

"HGV drivers have been shown to be an integral part of how our transport network works. £32m doesn't really scrape the sides."

Cllr Bolt replied: "It is only £32m nationally, but if you do something in partnership with operators and local authorities then it can become something more significant. Lets get our name on the application and get West Yorkshire as a lead project."