THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY HAS FOUND AGAINST THE CREATION OF A MOTORWAY SERVICE AREA IN CATHERINE DE BARNES.

IT HAS ALSO FOUND AGAINST AN MSA AT JUNCTION 4 ON THE M42.

THIS IS A VICTORY FOR COMMON SENSE!

 MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SUPPORT OUR CAMPAIGN 

Special thanks must go to Maggie Throup and George Goodall for all their hard work.

Background

The threat of a Motorway Service Area (MSA) in Catherine de Barnes has been with us for some years. Indeed the first Public Enquiry was held in 1999 before the opening of both Hopwood Services on the M42 and the M6 Toll Road.

In 2001 the Government (John Prescott - bless him) gave interim approval for a service station between junctions 5 and 6 on the M42. The reason why this was the preferred site was that the proposed MSA could be accessed directly from the motorway.

This decision means that, in planning terms, we can no longer effectively argue that a MSA is not required along this stretch of motorway. It is more a question of where to build one, rather than whether one is needed.

Since the interim planning decision was made another application has come forward to build an MSA off Junction 4 on the M42 (this is sometimes referred to as the Box Tree or Gate Lane site}. Unlike the Catherine de Barnes site off Friday Lane, which could only be accessed from the motorway, the Junction 4 MSA proposals would involve traffic coming off the motorway to enter the MSA from the junction.

In 2006 the government decided that a further Public Enquiry was needed to ensure due process because of the advent of the ATM system on the M42 and the second runway proposals. The Public Enquiry was due to start in November 2006 but has since been delayed until June 2007. Indeed there is talk of a further delay.

Although one might have assumed that the proposed second runway safety zone would include part of the designated MSA site in Catherine de Barnes, the Airport has stated that this is not the case. The airport is not therefore objecting to the proposals.

We do know, however, that the Police do not think it a particularly good idea to build an MSA along this stretch of the M42, and hopefully their view will not be ignored. Unfortunately the Highways Agency has not expressed the same concern.

It remains a fact that there are no services between Hilton Park on the M6 and Warwick services on the M40 if you travel round the North of Birmingham, a distance of some 49 miles. There are of course two service areas at Frankley on the M5 and Hopwood on the M42 for traffic going round the South of Birmingham. The problem is that the Highways Agency will not direct North/South traffic around the South of Birmingham, as this would only create even more congestion where the M5 joins the M6. Obviously traffic using the M6 Toll Road and the M40 necessarily travels through junctions 4-6 on the M42.

Whilst it is not Government policy as such, it seems that the official guideline is to have MSAs every 30 miles. On that basis it would seem appropriate to create a service area somewhere on the M42 between the M6 and M40 interchanges.

However there are a number of valid reasons why we should not create a service area along this stretch of the M42

• This short stretch of Motorway is extremely busy and already has 3 exits between the M6/M40 interchanges. A service area would simply add to the congestion and make this stretch of the M42 even more dangerous.
• Much of the traffic using this stretch of the M42 is local commuter traffic and does not need an MSA. Local drivers will not want to pay motorway fuel prices.
• When the Active Traffic Management (ATM) system is in force, there is hardly the time to make 4 lane changes between existing exits, never mind another one.
• In effect Birmingham has its own M25 style ring road made up of the M6, M42 and M5. Currently the M25 has service areas at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock and that seems to cater perfectly well. On a smaller scale, the Birmingham motorway system is currently served by MSAs at Warwick, Hopwood, Frankley, Hilton Park, Corley and Atherstone and there is no need for additional fuel stops.
• In view of all the above, there is certainly no justification for giving up precious Green Belt land for Motorway Service Areas.

Unfortunately, MSA developers, like all retailers, look for footfall. And they certainly have plenty of footfall on the M42 near Catherine de Barnes!

SNAG (Say No Action Group) was formed in 2001 as a campaign vehicle led by Maggie Throup. The campaign enjoyed a healthy profile and attracted much local press interest.

Since then a number of factors have complicated the situation and led to uncertainty and delays - the proposed airport expansion, the M42 Traffic Management System, competing planning applications, the need for a further Public Enquiry etc.

It became obvious that in order to fight the developers it was necessary to engage all local communities affected and speak with one voice. SAMSAG (Solihull Against Motorway Service Areas Group) was created in 2006 and includes representation from Catherine de Barnes, Barston, Balsall Common and Hampton in Arden.

SAMSAG secured official representation at the Public Enquiry.