HC Deb 17 July 1986 vol 101 cc589-90W
Mr. Chapman

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has for providing and marketing additional service areas on the motorway network.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The general policy is to provide new motorway service areas where they are required at strategic locations and at approximately 30-mile intervals on motorways yet to be completed and on existing motorways where there is a gap in services provision.

The planned programme and the manner of marketing are as follows: (a) Competitive tenders for sites being selected by Government

  1. (i) M25: Thurrock (tenders received), Clacket Lane near Westerham; and Iver
  2. (ii) M11: Birchanger, near Stansted (tenders received)
  3. (iii) M20: Hollingbourne, cast of Maidstone, and Westenhanger, junction 11
  4. (iv) M4: Reading area
  5. (v) M40: Stockenchurch near High Wycombe; Ardley, junction with A43; Barn Hill, where the motorway crosses the Fosse Way
  6. (vi) M27: Meon near Fareham
  7. (vii) M42: Stoke—eastern section
  8. (viii) M56: Hapsford, at junction with A5117.

We are also investigating potential sites for the M54 and for the Birmingham northern relief road.

(b) Competitive tenders for one site to be proposed experimentally by operators on a stretch of motorway defined by the Department: M42: Northern section, in the Tamworth/ North Warwickshire area.

(c) The following sites have been negotiated as private initiatives

  1. (i) M25: South Miinms (under construction)
  2. (ii) M5: Sedgemoor northbound site, previously the Brent Knoll rest area. The southbound side of the site is now open
  3. (iii) M20: West Kingsdown.

In addition, we will consider private initiative service areas to augment the strategic network where a landowner or developer comes forward with a proposal and where we consider the competitive tendering method is inappropriate. In such cases, we will expect the developer first to discuss and reach agreement with the Department about design and access, as well as financial matters to safeguard the Exchequer, and, following that agreement, the Department will seek planning clearance for the proposal in conjunction with the developer.