£50m services plan for junction 11 of M62

THE M62 could be getting a new £50m services.

Developers are eyeing up farmland at junction 11 near Cadishead in Salford for the development.

If it gets the go-ahead it would include a food court, 100 bed hotel, a visitor centre, petrol station and almost 700 parking spaces.

Details of the proposals have been revealed in a ‘scoping report’ submitted to Warrington council, an early stage of the planning process which seeks to establish the environmental impact large developments could have.

The firm behind the proposals, Extra MSA Group, owns 18 service stations across the country and says the M62 proposals will initially create 400 construction jobs then 250 to 300 full-time jobs when the services are up and running.

In documents submitted with the application the firm say there is a ‘clear, compelling and vital need’ for a new services at ‘this key strategic location’.

It adds: “There is a circa 35-mile gap between Charnock Richard and Birch Services on the M6/M62 route.

“The distance between Birch and Burtonwood Services on the M62/ M60 route is 22 miles.

”This context, together with the congestion experienced on these routes means that, particularly at peak hours, distances significantly exceed the maximum 30 minutes travelling time separation requirement and the needs of motorists, commercial drivers and their passengers are not being adequately met within the area.”

But a number of concerns have been raised about the plans.

Historic England has written to the council to say the development could have an impact on ‘a number of designated heritage assets’ in the area,including the nearby Grade II-listed Holcroft Hall.