Two truck stops in the North East have been awarded a combined £2.3m for improvement works as part of a £16.5m boost to level up facilities for lorry drivers across the country.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has allocated funding to Ron Perry & Son Ltd which has two stops on the A19 north and southbound west of Hartlepool.

The funds, which have been distributed across England, are set to help create new showers, restaurants as well as better lighting and fencing for driver safety.

430 parking spaces across the country are also set to be created, which the DfT believes will free up local roads.

Details of the plans state that many stops are to see 'multiple areas of improvement' whilst some are specifically going to tackle issues including decarbonisation and security.

Roads Minister Guy Opperman who is also the MP for Hexham, has said this boost in funding will help grow the local economy.

He said: “Lorry drivers in County Durham and the North East are the backbone of the local economy, ensuring everyone across the North East can get their parcels delivered, have supermarket shelves stocked, and deliver medical supplies to the local hospital.

“With both truck stops from Ron Perry & Son receiving substantial upgrades, lorry drivers across County Durham and the North East will soon see real improvements to the truck stops they use every day, as we thank them for the great work they do, day in, day out.

“This joint £2.3 million investment is a key part of our plan to grow the economy in County Durham and the North East.”

Ron Perry, owner of Dan Perry & Sons, one of the funding winners, said: “The DfT welfare grant scheme goes a long way towards realising our ambitious project of delivering modern, secure and appealing facilities for lorry drivers to park overnight.

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“Without the grant from the Department, this project simply would not be viable for us. We very much look forward to delivering the improvements so that we can provide lorry drivers the fantastic facilities they deserve.”

Elsewhere, two stops in Cumbria have been awarded a total of £2.9m in funding whilst the South East, covering Kent, received the largest grant of £3.15m.

The lowest sum was allocated to London, with only one truck stop set to see £181,750 to improve driver welfare and security.