Unbuilt Services On The A14
For a list of current service areas on the A14, see Services on the A14.
The A14 isn't a motorway, but it does behave like one. It has tried to be one, and in places it looks like one, but it isn't one.
The service areas are a case in point. In theory, anybody can build a small petrol station or a hotel on the A14 - they just need to get through the planning system. The planning system will argue that the countryside shouldn't be spoilt, that a new exit on the A14 wouldn't be safe and that there is no need for any new facilities. As a result you end up with larger facilities spaced further apart and generally owned by the same few companies - just like on a motorway!
The Link Road
The M1-A1 Link Road - better known as the westernmost section of the A14 - opened in 1994. As early as 1987, the local authorities along the route realised they were about to be inundated with plans for new service areas, and figured they should work together to ensure that they didn't reject too many proposals.
Local authorities formed joint policy for A1/M1 link 1987. This recommended services at:
In 1987, a joint policy was published which recommended building service areas in the following places:
- A14 J1 (Welford)
- either A14 J7 (A43 Kettering) or A14 J9 (now Kettering Business Park)
- A14 J13 (Thrapston)
- A14 J21 (Brampton Hut)
You will see from the details on this page that the plan did have some influence on the proposals which came forward, but it wasn't entirely followed.
In 1990 Kettering Borough Council did register a planning application to build a service area at the business park at A14 J9, in an effort to prove that it was better than the other proposals. Their application was withdrawn, and an unrelated hotel-restaurant has now been built there.
Private Proposals
As the A14 is not a motorway, the Department of Transport (and its equivalents) don't propose new service areas. Pretty much all proposals are therefore private proposals.
The table below lists many of the proposals to provide significant facilities on the A14 which we have found, generally involving the construction of at least a petrol station, restaurant and several parking areas. Smaller developments (including sites which have grown over many decades) are not included.
Note also that our list refers to the road which is now called the A14, regardless of what it was called at the time each service area was planned.
| Place | Location | Proposed | Resolved | Outcome | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentford | J38-39 | 1975 | 1980 | Built. | Planned by BP. |
| Rougham | J44-45 | 1977 | 1989 | Refused. | Planned by BP. |
| Beacon Hill | J51 (north-west corner) | 1980 | 1988 | Built. | |
| Godmanchester | J24 (south-east corner) | 1980 | 1990 | Withdrawn. | Planned by Trusthouse Forte and Norfolk House. Eventually opened as a petrol station and truckstop. |
| Girton | J31-32 | 1981 | 1983 | Refused. | Planned by Modeluxe Linen Services Ltd. Refused because it's green belt land, and existing facilities are available. |
| Newmarket | J36-37 | 1983 | 1984 | Built. | Planned by Landware Group Holdings. |
| Fenstanton | J27 | 1984 | 1989 | Built. | Planned by Norfolk House. |
| Abbots | J24A (south-east corner) | 1984 | 1991? | Built. | Planned by Trusthouse Forte. Upgrade of an existing site. |
| Orwell | J51 (north-west corner) | 1986 | 1989 | Built. | Planned by Turnkey Designs Ltd. |
| Swinford | M1/M6 interchange | 1988 | 1989 | Refused. | Planned by Marquis Penna. |
| Copdock Mill | J55 | 1988 | 1989? | Built. | Closed in 1993. |
| Swinford/Catthorpe | after M1/M6 interchange | 1988 | 2006 | Withdrawn. | Planned by Esso, Shell, Texaco and Extra. Some plans had it joining Rugby Road, others had it joining the A14 eastbound. A petition against it was circulated locally. In 2000 the Highways Agency announced their intention to remove the eastern roundabout. Planning permission was granted and renewed in 2003. In 2005 the land was purchased by Extra's parent company, apparently having been assured that it could be a motorway service area. This would match with the Highways Agency's original intention to build a large roundabout linking the M1 and M6. Despite objections from Extra, the new junction layout was opened in 2017 and made connecting a service area impossible. |
| Brampton Hut | J21 (south-west corner) | 1989 | 1992 | Built. | Planned by The Petergrove Consortium & S.P.Morley, Tim Martindale Associate and Norfolk House. Upgrade of an existing site. |
| Naseby (Portly Ford Lodge) | J1 (north-west corner) | 1987 | 1989 | Refused. | Planned by Norfolk House. |
| Naseby (Portly Ford Farm) | J1 (north-east corner) | 1989 | 1992 | Refused. | Planned by Tarmac Quarry Products Ltd. Now used as a local truckstop. |
| Naseby (Avon Valley) | J1-2 | 1987 | 1990 | Refused. | The westbound side would have been smaller. |
| Thrapston | J13 | 1987 | 1991 | Built. | Planned by Trusthouse Forte. |
| Rothwell Lodge Farm | J5-6 (Thorpe Malsor Road) | 1988? | 1988? | Refused? | Planned by Lawlor Land Company. |
| Rothwell Lodge Farm | J5 (south-east corner) | 1988? | 1988? | Refused? | Planned by Lawlor Land Company. |
| Rothwell Farm | J5 (north-west corner) | 1988? | 1994 | Built. | Planned by Esso. |
| Nacton Heath (Orwell Crossing) | J57-58 | 1988 | 1995? | Built. | Later closed and converted into a truckstop. |
| Kettering | J8-9 | 1990? | 1994 | Built. | Planned by Mobil. |
| Cambridge | originally J28 (south-east corner) | 1991 | 2000 | Built. | Planned by Texaco and Extra. Meets motorway standards as it was to serve the failed A14(M). |
| Brampton Hut | J21 (south-east corner) | 1994 | 1994 | Refused. | Planned by Nobel Industries Sweden (UK). Refused on appeal. Appears to be based on old road alignment. Was designated MRA under failed A14(M) project. |
| Cold Ashby | J1 (south-west corner) | 1997 | 1998 | Withdrawn. | Planned by Aig Remediation Limited. |
| Rothwell Truckstop | J3 (south-east corner) | 2010 | 2019 | Built. | Planned by Rothwell Land Ltd and Welcome Break. |
| Spaldwick | J18 | 2012 | 2017 | Built. | The original local petrol station has been refurbished several times, but a total rebuild took place under Applegreen. |
| Trinity Foot | original J28 (north-west corner) | 2013 | 2013 | Withdrawn. | Advertised as a truckstop, but included many car parking spaces, a restaurant and a hotel. |
| Teardrop | J42 (south-east corner) | 2019 | 2020 | Withdrawn. | Planned by EG Group. No guarantee that they would have applied for signing. |
| Needham Market | J51 (north-east corner) | 2020 | 2021 | Refused. | Planned by EG Group as a separate service area, despite being right next door to Beacon Hill. |