The main reasons we oppose the proposed Kirby Hill MSA are:
Spacing: The Government’s desire is to complete a network of MSAs at approximately 28-mile (30 minutes driving time) intervals around the country. Kirby Hill is just 14 miles from the new motorway services being built on the A1(M) at Kirk Deighton. The Inspector at the 2003 Public Inquiry concluded that there was only a need for one MSA on the A1(M) in Harrogate District and this is being built at Kirk Deighton. There is also an existing trunk road service station at Leeming Bar, 14 miles north of Kirby Hill, which the owner wishes to upgrade to an MSA. The proposed Kirby Hill MSA is too close to both these facilities and therefore doesn't meet Government requirements on spacing and need.
Landscape Impact: Government policy attaches significant weight to protecting the countryside from unnecessary development. The attractive landscape at Kirby Hill is special and highly valued by local people and tourists alike. The large-scale, open character of the landscape affords excellent long-range views. An MSA could not be successfully integrated at this location and would cause substantial harm to the landscape. It would also harm the character and setting of two historic listed buildings: the Grade 1 listed church of All Saints, Kirby Hill and the Grade 2 listed Skelton Windmill.
Traffic and Highways Safety: When the A1(M) was upgraded, the slip roads at Kirby Hill were closed for safety reasons. There have been several fatal accidents on this stretch of the A1(M) in recent years. Building an MSA would require the reintroduction of slip roads and the safety of the proposed access arrangements is highly questionable.
Aviation Safety & Military Security: The proposed MSA would be just 900m from a busy military airfield used by trainee pilots of fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and gliders. This is not the most sensible of locations for an MSA with two petrol stations. An aircraft incident involving the MSA would be potentially catastrophic. The proximity of the MSA and the large numbers of people using it to the airfield would make it easier for military security to be compromised.
Residential Amenity: The long-range views enjoyed towards the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are an important part of residents’ quality of life at Kirby Hill. The proposed MSA would dominate these views at close range, as well as having detrimental impacts in terms of noise, air, refuse and light pollution.
Economic Impact: The proposed MSA would create 250 jobs that the local rural economy does not need. Boroughbridge is an area of full employment. MSA staff would either have to travel from further afield, or they would be “poached” from Boroughbridge with the promise of higher wages, causing hardship for existing local businesses.
Public Perception of Harm: Local people are deeply concerned about the impact of the proposed MSA on the landscape, residential amenity, road safety, aviation safety, crime and the local economy. There is evidence of past harm to support these concerns.
There should be NO MOTORWAY SERVICES AT KIRBY HILL.