A WORCESTER woman has started a petition to improve facilities for lorry drivers after finding excrement in hedges on a busy road.

Sarah Murray, Liberal Democrat activist and community litter picker, came across bottles of urine, soiled toilet paper and a cup filled with excrement in the hedgerows on Wainwright Road.

The waste was uncovered on a litter pick with the community group, Warndon Wombles.

Lorry drivers using the area for mandatory breaks in their long journeys are exiting the M5 and parking along Wainwright Road to avoid high charges for overnight stops where they say facilities are frequently unavailable or out of order. 

READ MORE: GMB Union slam lack of facilities after Wainwright Road human waste find

Sarah's petition is calling for "essential facilities for lorry drivers" and to "put an end to the health hazard that currently exists due to lack of facilities."

The GMB Union said that the lack of facilities is the main reason why more drivers are not joining the industry.

Andy Prendergast, GMB national secretary, previously said: "GMB believes the lack of decent facilities for lorry drivers is one of the major reasons why people are not coming into the industry. 

"Compare our often bleak, unsanitary facilities to the clean, subsidised stops in Europe and it is clear the ones in the UK are not fit for purpose.

"The impact is felt not only by the drivers but by local communities having to clear up the mess.

"The current situation is a national disgrace and one that needs to be addressed both for the lorry drivers and the local communities they serve."

GMB is a trade union that represents all workers, with over 500,000 members who work in every type of job across public services and private companies.

When the story was published by the Worcester News, commenters said the area was absolutely disgusting, with one reader saying he has caught "drivers urinating and worse".

READ MORE: Wainwright Road stench caused by lorry drivers 'urinating and worse'

Croft Road car park is the only Worcester City Council car park which offers parking for larger vehicles.

The petition was launched on Wednesday, October 5 and has amassed 38 signatures.

You can find the petition by visiting https://worcesterlibdems.org.uk/better-facilities-for-truck-drivers/.