New £64m “critical infrastructure” opens

Extra MSA Group has opened its latest motorway service area (MSA). Leeds Skelton Lake Services now joins the existing network of “critical infrastructure” across the country.

The new service area is an essential road safety requirement and currently supports necessary journeys for key workers, the logistics sector and emergency services. This role for was recently endorsed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon Grant Shapps, in a letter to all MSA Operators.

Leeds Skelton Lake is the next generation MSA and located at M1 Junction 45, bringing together design with a range of environmentally friendly initiatives to meet the demands of future connectivity, together with evolving transportation and customer trends.

The result of a £64m investment and years of work the site has created 300 full time equivalent permanent new jobs for the Leeds City Region.

Despite officially welcoming its first visitors on Monday the current coronavirus pandemic means it is opening on a phased basis. At present the new Texaco Fuel Filling Station and combined Spar Convenience Store is open alongside facilities for HGV drivers and their vehicles. For the general public the site has parking for all other vehicle and new IONITY high powered EV Charging Stations. However within the amenity building only the customer toilet & washrooms / showers are open.

Once fully operational and working in conjunction with Extra’s other tenant operating partners, the  food court & amenity building will host Nando’s, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, LEON, Pizza Express, Harry Ramsden’s, Upper Crust, Pasty Shop, Mi Casa and Chopstix, together with Urban Express and other complementary outlets. There will also be a new concept “Sourced Market” featuring a deli-counter. Alongside this the amenity centre will feature a Wildlife Visitor Centre to be operated by The RSPB.

Andrew Long, CEO for Extra MSA Group, said: “Keeping MSAs opens is fundamental to the safe use of the UK Strategic Road Network and whilst these are challenging times, the opening of Leeds Skelton Lake Services will provide additional ‘critical infrastructure’ facilities as are also important for the National and Regional economy.”

“With Leeds Skelton Lake, Extra is also keen to be looking into the future, in terms of what users will require for both themselves and their vehicles. In addition to providing more than 300 full time equivalent new jobs, the process for the evolution of this new development has involved Extra working closely with many locally based ‘stakeholders’, including Leeds City Council, Leeds City Region LEP, Highways England, Leeds University & Colleges, together with the Ahead Partnership.”

The stunning design of the MSA was developed by leading local Architects, Corstorphine & Wright (now incorporating Architecture 519). The design employed new and innovative construction techniques including the use of specially fabricated glulam structure timber beams. The longest of these beams measures some 26 metres and was lifted into place by specialist cranes, creating a unique visual design and contributing to the achievement of high standards of sustainability for the overall development.

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