§ Lord Northfieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many years of consideration they have now given to the actual siting of a services area on the M.54 motorway; which site has now been chosen and whether the local authorities support this choice; and whether a start on site can be expected within the next two years.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Lord Brabazon of Tara)There were studies for a service area for M.54 in the early 1970s, but until the line of the road was fixed in 1980 it was not possible to select a site. There was then doubt about the viability of an MSA on the M.54 until 1985, two years after the road opened. A joint study by the local planning authorities led to the department's choice of a site at Castle Farm near Telford. Planning clearance has been given and a public inquiry in January will hear objections to the department's draft compulsory purchase order. The inquiry will also hear appeals by Shell UK Ltd. against refusals of planning permission for a service area on the same site. Depending on the outcome of the inquiry, a start on site should be possible within the next two years.