Welcome Break said it had spent £1.7 million renovating its HGV parks, including modern shower blocks, security fencing and infrared CCTV systems.

He said National Highways also matched its contribution and represented its commitment to supporting the 440,000 truck drivers who park at night and the six million truckers who visit its facilities each year.

The money will be invested in sturdy, three-metre-high picket fences, enhanced lighting with LED floodlights, and the installation of advanced PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) and infrared bi-optical CCTV systems with remote monitoring.

In addition, Welcome Break said it would open outdoor gyms at five of its sites in 2025 to help HGV drivers stay physically active during rest periods and support their physical and mental health.

The partnership between Welcome Break and National Highways stemmed from the government’s designated funding project announced in 2022.

This allocated £20 million of funding to improve infrastructure and support the heavy-duty sector.

Nick Jackson, Welcome Break’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the funding from National Highways, which has enabled us to make significant improvements to our HGV driver facilities across our locations.

“This investment has allowed us to improve key amenities including modern shower blocks, increased security with fencing and CCTV, improved lighting and even the introduction of outdoor gyms.

“These improvements have not only created a safer and more comfortable environment for our drivers, but also contributed to their overall well-being and job satisfaction.”