FAQs

General

1. Is a new service facility needed here?

This facility is needed for two main reasons. Firstly, as our road networks transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles, we need to provide new EV infrastructure at strategic locations across the national road network to ensure owning an EV is practical and demand for charging can keep up with supply.

Furthermore, there is a critical local shortage of HGV parking spaces, with some sites nearby either very close to or at full capacity. A shortage of quality, secure HGV parking leads to parking in unsuitable locations such as lay-bys and industrial estates, causing problems for local residents and stress for drivers.

The new Edith Rigby Way (Preston Western Distributor Road) connects the M55 to the A583, allowing traffic to flow around Preston more fluidly via the new M55 Junction 2, making our site a strategic location for a much-needed new Motorway Services.

Car Provision

1. How many car parking spaces are proposed overall?

Circa 390 car parking spaces will be provided, with around 50 of these spaces being EV charging spaces from Day 1.

There will also be circa 10 caravan spaces, around 15 motorcycle spaces, and at least 5 spaces for coaches.

2. How many EV charging spaces are proposed?

Preston Services will deliver at least 50 new EV charging spaces from day 1, with the remaining car spaces on site EV-ready, allowing additional EV charging spaces to be brought forward in the future as demand and grid capacity grows.

3. Will there be spaces for motorists with disabilities, or parent and child spaces?

We will be providing both disabled spaces and parent and child spaces, in line with policy requirements.

4. Will there be a petrol/diesel fuel filling station for cars?

While Moto is committed to leading the national transition to electric vehicles, we are also fully aware many motorists will continue to need petrol and diesel fuel on the motorway network.

The proposals therefore include a conventional fuel filling station for cars, which will be smaller than those in operation currently to reflect the fact that when the site opens many more cars will be EV.

HGV Provision

1. How many HGV parking spaces are proposed?

Around 70 HGV spaces are proposed, which will help address the critical local shortage of adequate HGV parking spaces. There will also be a space for an abnormal load HGV, as required through policy.

2. Will there be an HGV fuel filling station?

An HGV fuel filling station is proposed to the west of the site.

3. Are you providing facilities for alternative HGV fuels?

All HGV spaces will be designed to accommodate electric charging infrastructure in the future if this is required.

4. What facilities will be provided for HGV drivers?

While specific facilities will be determined at a later stage, facilities for HGV drivers will include high quality showers, toilets, and food provision.

Highways and Access

1. Will the proposals affect traffic on the M55?

The new Motorway Services at Junction 2 will primarily attract a proportion of existing passing traffic on the M55, instead of creating new trips as seen with other types of development. Therefore, there will be limited impact on traffic flows along the M55 itself.

2. What will the impact of the proposals be on traffic at Junction 2?

Junction 2 is a new junction, built to accommodate the connection of the new Edith Rigby Way (Preston Western Distributor Road) to the M55. A Motorway Services at the Junction is a logical conclusion to the improvements to the strategic road network around Preston.

There will be some increased traffic at Junction 2 associated with vehicles entering and leaving the site. A full Transport Assessment will be submitted with the planning application to assess this impact. At this stage we are confident that there is sufficient capacity at Junction 2 to accommodate the development without causing any severe impacts.

3. How will you promote sustainable travel to the site?

We are keen to ensure that staff at the site travel to work as sustainably as possible. The planning application will be accompanied by a Travel Plan, setting out a range of measures to encourage green travel.

4. How will vehicles access the site?

Access to the site will be via Junction 2 of the M55. Access arrangement can be seen on the illustrative masterplan on the proposals page.

The site access, internal roads, servicing and parking areas have been designed to safely accommodate all vehicle types as per good practice design guidance. The layout has also been tested with vehicle tracking software to ensure safe and efficient access for all road users.

Sustainability and Biodiversity

1. How will you ensure the site is built sustainably?

We are keen to ensure the site is as sustainable as possible.

The amenity building will employ a variety of measures to reduce carbon emissions during construction and operation, such as a green living roof and highly energy efficient building design.

We are also planning to install solar panels on the roofs of both the car fuel filling station and the HGV fuel filling station to generate renewable energy on site.

2. How will the proposals enhance biodiversity?

We will deliver at least 10% net gain biodiversity, targeting a 20% gain, to be delivered on site. A significant area of the site will also be given over to nature, creating spaces for wildlife to thrive, including ponds, grasslands, and extensive tree planting, while taking steps to retain existing trees and ponds wherever possible.

Next Steps

1. When will you submit a planning application?

We will be submitting an outline planning application to Preston City Council this year, after we have reviewed and analysed feedback from the local community and stakeholders. This website will be updated throughout the planning application process.

2. How can I get in contact with the project team?

Our team would be more than happy to answer any questions at our dedicated email address (motopreston@devcomms.co.uk) or phoneline (0800 0803290). You can write to us at Freepost DEVCOMMS.

You can also provide detailed feedback via our online feedback form.