MSAs are not ‘footloose’, they can only be built alongside the Motorway that they serve. In this area the M25 runs through the London Green Belt. The means that the only way that the public safety and welfare need can be met is through development in the Green Belt.

 

Government Policy has a clear preference for ‘on-line’ MSAs ie not connected to the local road network or not located at a Junction. This is because they are more attractive to drivers on the Motorway and do not add traffic to the existing road network.

 

The number of potential on-line locations is constrained by the need to have a safety gap of typically 2km between the end of any slip road and the nearest next slip road.

 

Extra has undertaken an extensive search of potential alternative sites along the western side of the M25. Extra have previously proposed a MSA on the west side of the M25 between J16 and J17. Following a Public Inquiry, Extra have considered issues raised by the Planning Inspector & sought ways to address them. As a result of this, it is now proposed to locate the main MSA buildings on the east of the M25