HC Deb 11 December 1996 vol 287 c252W
Mr. Chidgey

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what criteria are used to decide where service stations should be located on motorways; and which agency has responsibility for determining proposals for service stations. [8082]

Mr. Watts

Following a change of policy announced in 1992, it is now for the private sector rather than the Department of Transport to bring forward new motorway service areas. My Department's involvement is limited to ensuring that proposals are acceptable in spacing, safety and traffic terms, and that any MSA signed from the motorway provides a specified minimum range of facilities. MSAs remain subject to the same controls as any other development, and cannot proceed unless planning permission has been granted by the local planning authority or, in the event of an appeal, the Secretary of State for the Environment.