Preston
Preston
Road: M55 at J2(also accessible to traffic on the A582)
Location: Lower Bartle, Woodplumpton, Preston, Lancashire
Authority: Preston City Council
References: 06/2024/1253
Developer: Moto
Year initiated: 2023
Moto began a project in April 2023, where they are seeking to build a full motorway service area at the brand new M55 J2, called Preston services. The junction didn't open until July 2023, as part of a road project that opened up swathes of new land for development. It would be the first service area to open on the M55, which Moto says would fill an important gap.
The facility would be accessed from a single carriageway spine road connecting to the north end of the new junction, which England's national highway authority have argued will need to be widened. There will also be public footpath access.
With the M55 being a relatively lightly-trafficked road, this would be one of their smaller service areas. Early sketches show that parking for 361 cars, 70 HGVs, 11 caravans and 7 coaches, 12 motorcycles and a number of bicycles would be provided, along with 50 electric vehicle charging points, 6 eHGV charging points and a fuel filling station. Parking spaces would be wider than usual to allow for future electric vehicle provision. There will be a two-storey amenity building with timber features.
In line with the new government policy, it would need to fulfil all the requirements expected of a motorway service area. In the past, this would have meant building a large restaurant which would make the project uneconomic, but these days a small coffee shop is likely to suffice.
Moto have called the project "state-of-the-art services for every motorist". In April 2024, it was revealed that the scope of the project had almost doubled, to allow for better access, drainage and biodiversity projects. One of the existing ponds next to the building would be maintained, with some solar panels on the buildings.
The plan is now with Preston City Council for consideration. One omission that sticks out is the lack of the usual drive thru coffee shop, especially considering this is the junction of two commuter routes. The planned hotel has also been removed.
Planning Context
As early as 1960, the government was looking at building a motorway service area at the M6/M55 interchange, north-east of Preston. This proved to be too difficult and was abandoned as an idea.
Hallam Land Management proposed giving the M55 a 'Kirkham services' in 1995. It was refused planning permission as it struggled to be justified under the planning policies at the time.
The government's new (December 2022) motorway service area policy calls for all motorways to have HGV parking every 14 miles, and although this was probably written with busier motorways in mind, this technicality may well be crucial to this proposal's planning process.
Moto have suggested that their earliest proposals considered building on both sides of the motorway, Following the consultation which began in July 2023, the planned roundabout was removed from the spine road. A formal planning application was submitted in December 2024.
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