§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the Government's review of the 15-mile rule for the siting of motorway service areas, including details of the timetable for the review and for publication of its results. [44670]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThere are several aspects of Government policy on motorway service areas (MSAs) which we have said we wish to review. On spacing, we will want to consider in particular whether existing policy, which allows MSAs at roughly fifteen mile intervals, strikes the right balance between the needs of motorway users and other considerations including the need to avoid unnecessary development in the countryside. We hope to make a further announcement later this year.