A sex shop located at junction 15 on the northbound side of the A1M at Sawtry is to be demolished to make way for a new £20 million service station.
The new facility, which was given the green light earlier this week, will create 120 jobs.
According to the Peterborough Telegraph, the plans have been welcomed by the area’s local MP, Shailesh Vara:
I welcome the news of planning permission being granted for a MOTO service station on the A1(M) in Sawtry. It has been a difficult year for the economy and the 120 jobs which are to be created will provide job opportunities for some of those recently lost. As well as providing opportunities for Sawtry and the wider local community, the service station will provide additional facilities for travellers on a busy stretch of the A1(M).
Dick Tuplin, who represents Sawtry on Huntingdonshire District Council, has also expressed satisfaction with the news. However, he referred to possible “problems” with overnight HGV parking:
There may be some problems with HGV overnight parking, but it will be no worse than it is now, so we think the advantages of the proposed scheme far outweigh any disadvantages.
Moto Hospitality is currently the UK’s largest service area operator. Most of their 42 locations in the UK contain M&S Foodhalls, a Burger King, Costa Coffee and a Greggs.
Moto do have an offer for drivers, though their overnight parking fees can be in the region of £30 – significantly more than their counterparts in Europe.
Photo credit: Ian Taylor / Wikimedia Commons