Companies based in an area of Ashby just off the A42 have called for HGVs to stop parking illegally on the roads outside of their offices.

Several have contacted Ashby Town Councillor, Murrae Blair-Park, after complaining that access was being restricted on Coalfield Way by the lorries and trucks - some of them left there while the cabs are driven away.

As well as that, there have been reports of drivers using the nearby bushes as a toilet in the Ashby Park area, which is home to a number of businesses.

Cllr Blair-Park says that action should be taken to stop them from using the road as a truck stop - with some parked on double yellow lines.

But he also says there is a wider issue in that there is no suitable facility for HGVs in North West Leicestershire.

The trucks are there not only overnight, but during the day as well.

The trucks are parked outside offices during the day

With some here coming here from abroad, parking fines can be seen as ineffective.

Cllr Blair-Park said: "A number of them are independent operators and are not registered in the UK.

"What we find is that because there are no facilities for drivers to shower or use the toilet, they're using the bushes and the verge.

"But it's also causing major congestion on Coalfield Way, now you cannot get two vehicles through.

"A number of businesses on that road also have HGVs visiting them. But there can be 15-20 vehicles parked on the side of the road at any time.

"It means staff sometimes can't get in or out."

Cllr Blair-Park contacted EV Cargo, the international haulier and freight company, which, ironically, is situated on Coalfield Way 

Some of the trucks are parked outside its offices at the end of the road.

EV Cargo has offered co-operation and support to try and resolve this issue.

Cllr Blair-Park added: "I spoke to EV's Chief Executive Officer for the UK, Andy Humpherson, and he said it was mostly drivers who are arriving at their destination early - and they use it because there's no suitable facility for HGV parking.

"As a result, we've been in touch with North West Leicestershire District Council's parking enforcement and environmental health teams.

"And we're contacting Leicestershire County Council's Highways to discuss what action we can take.

"The underlying factor is that we don't have a facility for HGVs in this district outside of motorway service stations. We'll push for a safe and secure area for trucks to park long-stay or overnight.

Some HGV drivers take the cabs away and leave the trailers behind

"That would eliminate the problems in Coalfield Way or off Flagstaff Island where there are similar parking issues."

Cllr Blair-Park believes that the amount of warehouse-style development in North West Leicestershire has not addressed the issue of the associated increase in HGV traffic.

He added: "There are facilities that offer a swipe card system where they can use facilities and eat some hot food. But here, they're parking on the side of the road.

"We also have female drivers and we need to offer them safe space to park up in a purpose-built area for perhaps up to 100 vehicles.

"Andy Humpherson has said to me that the area suffers from a lack of HGV parking facilities - more trucks are finding their way into the region and, in this case, on to Coalfield Way.

"As a major employer in the area, he says EV is committed to supporting the council in its mission to establish better facilities."