Services in Preston

Why?

Our vision is to transform motorway travel on the M55 with a new highly sustainable Motorway Service Area.

Why here?

The Department for Transport has identified maximum distances for safety which should allow for regular stops by those using the Strategic Road Network stating that, “Roadside facilities perform an important safety function by providing opportunities for the travelling public to stop and take a break during their journey” and “The maximum distance between signed motorway service areas should be 28 miles or 30 minute drive time”.

There is a significant gap in provision in the area at present. We have found the ideal location for a new, highly sustainable rest area, on a strategic location on the M55.

The Need for Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure 

By 2040, 75% of cars are expected to be electric vehicles, meaning Moto alone will need to provide an estimated 4,700 more EV chargers across the road network to meet demand.  

‘Range anxiety’, or the fear of running out of charge, is a well-documented obstacle to changing driver behaviour, and Moto is committed to providing more high-quality EV charging spaces in the right locations, to support motorists in making the switch to EV. 

EV charging is different to petrol and diesel refuelling, and the reduced range of EVs means we need places for motorists to stop and recharge more frequently.   

We also need to account for increased dwell times as charging takes longer than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. We plan to respond to this with best-in-class facilities such as high quality indoor and outdoor space and superfast Wi-Fi.  

If road networks don't evolve to allow for recharging, our ability as a country to achieve ambitious Net Zero targets will fail, and our economic productivity will fall.  

In short, we need to provide more charging opportunities, in the right locations, to ensure drivers feel confident enough to make the switch to electric cars and support the transition to cleaner travel.  

The HGV Parking Crisis 

HGV drivers are the backbone of our economy, ensuring our shelves are stocked and our essentials, such as medical supplies, are delivered on time. Drivers deserve a suitable, safe place to stop at night, as well as hygienic facilities. 

There is a critical shortfall of nearly 4,500 overnight HGV spaces across England, as identified in the National Lorry Parking Survey 2022. This leads to drivers parking in unsuitable locations such as lay-bys and industrial estates with no access to proper facilities or food and drink.

This shortage is also seen in the area surrounding Preston, with sites such as Moto’s existing twin sites at Lancaster, seeing HGV parking exceeding full capacity (Lancaster Southbound at 127% & Lancaster Northbound at 169%).

That’s why we are leading the way in providing new HGV spaces in the right locations across the motorway network, along with high-quality new facilities for hard working drivers.