Plans emerge for new service station off the M62 near Rochdale

Land off Sir Isaac Newton Way in Rochdale. Image courtesy of Google Maps

Vacant land off a busy main road junction could be turned into a service station in Rochdale.

A petrol station, two drive-thru restaurants, car jet wash and electric vehicle charging points are all planned for the land where the Sir Isaac Newton Way meets the A6193.

The proposal put forward by Euro Garages falls within the vicinity of Kingsway Business Park and is estimated to employ up to 70 people in the area.

The two drive-thrus have not been assigned as a particular restaurant yet, with the planning documents giving no indication as to what they would be.

The petrol station would include four pump stations as well as 12 electric car charging bays.

Euro Garages claim this development would provide an “essential roadside service requirement from the surrounding road network”.

The site, if approved by Rochdale Council, would be accessed off the Sir Isaac Newton Way, not far from a junction serving the M62.

The applicant does not believe this site would increase traffic in the area, but serve the current passing trade of motorists.

An inspector for the Department for Transport circular stated in a report that this development “would go some way to meeting an otherwise unmet, or inadequately met, need for a petrol station and motorist facilities in the area”.

A planning statement said: “Travelling east on the M62, the next closest motorway service area is 24 miles away from J21 at Hartshead Moor.

"Travelling west, Birch Services is also 24 miles away from J21.

"Clearly, this new service location will fit a strategic gap in motorist fuel, food and beverage and rest provision.

“As the extract below demonstrates, the immediate area is not well-served by petrol filling stations, especially those within a reasonable distance of the M62, were a motorist to leave the M62 to take a break before returning and continuing a journey.”

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