PLANS for a new motorway service station on the M25 near Brentwood could be halted due to concerns that its slip roads may slow down traffic reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
Moto unveiled plans last year to bring two new service stations to the motorway between junctions 27 and 28.
The service area would be situated near Brentwood, on both sides of the motorway, and would have the capacity for 850 cars and motorbikes, as well as 450 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs). Moto has stated that the service stations would create around 400 new jobs and bring £80 million worth of investment to Essex.
Focus is now on the new slip roads to and from the Moto service areas onto the M25 in both directions. National Highways is concerned that this may have a significant impact on the free flow and safety of traffic using the motorway.
The plans are with Brentwood Borough Council, but National Highways is currently recommending that planning permission not be granted, at least for a period of three months, to allow Moto to make changes to the designs of the slip roads.
A statement from National Highways said: “National Highways needs to be satisfied that the slip road design is compliant with DMRB (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges) and will have no adverse impacts on the safe and efficient operation of the strategic road network before we can consent to the formation of an access onto the M25 motorway.”
The plans have already been met with concerns around the environmental impact they may have.
Moto has said its proposals address “very special circumstances by meeting critical safety and infrastructure needs along this stretch of the M25”.
A statement said: “The area, which is entirely within the Green Belt, has significant service gaps, with distances between Thurrock, South Mimms, and Birchanger exceeding policy recommendations. These gaps will become greater still when the Lower Thames Crossing is completed.
“The development will provide essential rest stops to reduce fatigue-related accidents, significant EV charging infrastructure to support the UK’s transition to a cleaner and greener future, and 400 secure HGV parking spaces to address the acute shortage in the area. These measures will alleviate HGV parking issues on local roads, including reducing roadside crime, and ease capacity constraints at existing facilities.”
