One of Britain’s biggest motorway service station providers is drawing up a plan to build a new service area by Kings Langley.
Moto Holdings Ltd has confirmed to MyKingsNews that they are currently working on a proposal for a hotel, parking and rest stop at Junction 20 of the M25. The blueprint comes just 3 years after the company first tried to submit plans for a new rest area by the village.
Residents have taken to social media in their droves to express concern over the plans which were first proposed in 2015. Worries include a major increase in traffic and extra strain on local infrastructure. One worried householder commented: “Traffic is at a critical point at the moment. Once all those thousands of houses are built on council owned land farmland in Kings Lanlgey/Apsley the situation will just be impossible.”
Another said: “Is any consideration given to the fact that this is main route for many residents living in Hemel and beyond to their nearest A&E? II can’t imagine extra traffic is going to make access any easier.”
A spokesman for Moto said: “If the plans are approved the site will create more than 200 permanent jobs and provide a much needed facility which Moto believes will also help secure investment in the local economy.
The people of Watford and surrounding areas will be able to have their say on the proposals when a public consultation is held towards the end of October.
Three Rivers District Councillor Sara Bedford made this statement on social media. “The plans are not yet finalised but will include a 100 bed hotel, 1,000 parking spaces and the usual shops and facilities of a service station. Access to the service station would be via a new roundabout to be built on the A41, between Junction 20 and Langleybury Church. The plans have not been put before councillors and a formal application is some weeks away.
“This is a Green Belt site on an already congested road. Those are very big reasons why councillors would not support this application. There will be many other questions around air quality, light and noise pollution and whether such a facility is needed here.
“It is expected that a planning application will be submitted by the end of the year. All local residents will be able to have their say through the planning process, although it is possible that the decision will be taken by a Government Minister sitting in Whitehall, not councillors.
“As I am a member of the Planning committee that will make the decision, can I make clear that I am waiting for the application to see what it actually comprises?”
Three Rivers Councillor Alex Michaels said, “This is a Green Belt site accessed by a heavily congested road. Residents are rightly concerned at the increases in light, noise and air pollution. I urge Moto to think again”.
How do you feel about the prospect of a new motorway service station at Junction 20 of the M25? Email newsdesk@mynewsmag.co.uk
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