§ Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made in providing parking areas and facilities along existing motorways in England; and what plans he has for the next five years.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThere are 40 motorway service areas open in England. Within the last two years, new service areas were opened at Ferrybridge, at the junction of the M62 and A1, and on the southbound side of the M5 at Sedgemoor. The northbound side of Sedgemoor will open at Easter.
For the future, the main aim is to get new service areas at strategic locations roughly 30 miles apart both on the existing motorways where there is a gap in provision and on new ones. Proposals have been made for 14 sites, including four to serve the M25. These are at various stages. In addition, four other locations are under consideration. The sites and locations are as follows:
- (a) M25: South Mimms (under construction); Thurrock (developer/operator selected); Clacket lane, near Westerham (subject to public inquiry); and Iver
- (b) M4: Reading area
- (c) M 11: Birchanger, near Stansted (developer/ operator selected)
- (d) M20: West Kingsdown, near Brands Hatch (subject to public inquiry); Hollingbourne, east of Maidstone; and Westhanger, at junction 11
- (e) M27: Meon, near Fareham
- (f) M40: Stokenchurch, near High Wycombe; Ardley, at junction with A43; and Barn hill where the motorway crosses the Fosse way
- (g) M42: Northern section, in the Tamworth/north Warwickshire area, and on the south-eastern section
- (h) M54: Telford
- (i) M56: Hapsford, at junction with A5117
- (j) Birmingham northern relief road: potential site being investigated
As this programme proceeds, I shall review the possible need for additional sites in particular areas.