§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Minister of Transport if, in pursuance of his policy of encouraging private enterprise to cater for motorists needing services on major highways, he will instruct his officials to facilitate applications from firms to open service areas on dual carriageways as well as motorways, wherever these are needed, and, in particular, on the A45 in Suffolk.
§ Mr. FowlerThe initiative in providing service areas on trunk roads lies entirely with private developers. Under the Town and Country Planning General Development Order, planning applications for this type of development have to be referred to me. Provided that the proposed development has no adverse implications for traffic or road safety, my policy is not to stand in the way of any proposal which improves the range of services available to motorists. I am aware that there is a potential demand for more services on the improved stretch of the A45 between Cambridge and Ipswich. A proposal to develop a service area at Exning received renewed planning permission in 1976 but has not yet been implemented by the developer. A similar proposal for services at Quarries Cross, Haughley, is currently being considered by my regional controller.