The first motorway services on the M69 are one step closer to becoming a reality after Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council signalled their support for the development. The proposal, put forward by Welcome Break, includes petrol stations, a main building housing fast food outlets, coffee shops, convenience stores, a gaming zone, seating areas, toilets, and showers. Additionally, units will be available for drive-through businesses.
The planned site, located off the Stretton Baskerville Roundabout on the A5 at Burbage, currently serves as an unused former compound. While Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is set to approve the project in an upcoming meeting on Tuesday, the site also extends into Warwickshire. Therefore, Rugby Borough Council must also grant approval before construction can proceed. A decision from Rugby Borough Council is expected by March.
Welcome Break has highlighted the economic benefits of the development, stating that the facility would generate approximately 120 full-time equivalent jobs. Businesses named in the plans include KFC, Starbucks, Burger King, and Pret A Manger.
The service area, situated at Junction 1 of the M69, will feature 272 car parking spaces, picnic and dog walking areas, and designated parking for HGVs, coaches, caravans, and motorbikes. Furthermore, 37 charging stations for electric vehicles will be installed as part of the project.
The M69, which connects Leicester and Coventry, has lacked a dedicated service station since its opening in 1977. Currently, drivers must leave the motorway to access fuel and amenities, with the closest options being Leicester Forest East on the M1 or Corley on the M6. The new facility aims to provide a much-needed rest stop for motorists and professional drivers alike, enhancing convenience and road safety along this busy route.
