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Plans have been submitted to build a new motorway service station in Preston.
A site has been proposed for the new stop next to Junction 2 of the M55 in Woodplumpton.
If given the green light, the facility would be the only one within city limits and the first on the Preston-Blackpool motorway route.
The new service station would be located at the northern end of Edith Rigby Way, which – along with Junction 2 to Preston West – opened 18 months ago and links the M55 with the A583 Blackpool Road.
It is estimated that the 24-hour operation would create 120 jobs once operational and would be accessed via a second roundabout at the motorway exit, making it accessible to both east and west traffic.
Moto – the operator behind the development – has submitted outline plans to Preston City Council for a development that would include a main “amenities” building offering hot and cold food and other essentials, as well as toilets, shower facilities and a children's play area.
A fuel forecourt with eight filling stations for cars and vans as well as a separate fueling area for trucks and coaches is planned.
A total of 391 parking spaces are provided for cars – 50 of which have charging stations for electric vehicles. However, in documents submitted to City Hall planners, the company stressed that the site was “future-proofed” to ensure all parking spaces could be converted into charging areas as electric vehicle use increases.
There is also space for 12 caravans, seven coaches and 71 trucks – although overnight accommodation for truck drivers on the Lancaster M6 services, also operated by Moto, appears to have significant excess capacity.
The plans were first discussed more than a year ago when the company asked the city council whether it needed to conduct an environmental impact assessment for the project on the site, which is currently mostly agricultural.
The authority decided this measure was not necessary, and Moto has since outlined how it plans to improve the biodiversity of the rural property by expanding the official site to almost 14 hectares – the outer four hectares of which are reserved for habitat improvement, among others among other things, by creating new planting areas.
The company wants to preserve trees, hedges and ponds “where possible” and is also planning to partially roof the main building – and the gas station shop – with a so-called “green roof”.
A design and access statement attached to the application states that the development will only be visible to people in its “immediate surroundings” and that there are no “elevated” locations that would result in it being seen from long distances.
The document continues: “Every effort has been made to address all relevant issues with the aim of providing a state-of-the-art facility while minimizing its impact on the surrounding landscape.”
The site would be accessible on foot via existing public footpaths for all local staff in the surrounding areas of Woodplumpton, Lower Bartle, Higher Bartle, Swillbrook and Blackleach.
Jess Lockwood, property director at Moto, said of the company's proposal: “Our commitment to sustainability, road safety and job creation means this project will bring real benefits to the local community.”
“We are proud to submit this application for an industry-leading motorway service area that reflects the needs of motorists and the priorities of the Preston community. We look
We look forward to working closely with local stakeholders as the application progresses.”