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<p>In November 2018 and March 2019 ministers met all three operators who directly
hold leasehold interests, MOTO, Welcome Break, and Roadchef, to seek their general
views about the options on expiry of the current lease for the state-owned Motorway
Service Area (MSA) sites. There has also been frequent engagement between the operators
and officials regarding site improvements.</p><p>In September this year, Baroness
Vere met Roadchef, to hear their current proposals for lease renewal. Topics discussed
included how best to unlock investment to modernise the ageing sites, including the
upgrades to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, provision of additional
HGV parking.</p><p>Ministers are considering which approach will secure best value
for the taxpayer and enhance the experience for future road users and have requested
that the operators work with officials to help understand how the timelines for each
option could affect the timing of any investment.</p><p>In the March 2020 Budget,
the Government announced the Rapid Charging Fund as part of a £500 million commitment
for EV charging infrastructure.</p><p>It will be available to fund a portion of costs
at strategic sites across the strategic road network where upgrading connections to
meet future demand for high powered chargepoints would be prohibitively expensive
and uncommercial. Timing and process for delivery of this funding will be confirmed
in due course.</p><p>The Government will be working with the operators of MSAs to
ensure that charging provision is in place ahead of customer demand. The aim is to
help support early adoption of EVs and remove range anxiety concerns for drivers on
long journeys.</p>
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