6

Environment and Local Area

Champion sustainability, support local communities, and serve as active stewards of the environment to mitigate climate change.

Consideration for environmental impacts should be at the core of Motorway Service Area design and operation, emphasising the need for practices that support environmental protection. Simultaneously, we advocate for a strong local focus, highlighting the importance of local areas and the need for a collaborative process with them, encouraging a culture where Motorway Service Areas become an integral participant in their areas. This principle recognises that Motorway Service Areas can become spaces that benefit both the environment and the local area.

Examples (how to achieve this):

• Engage in inclusive and collaborative processes that welcome input from diverse stakeholders. Particularly, integrate the opinions and aspirations of local residents and users and involve them in decision-making processes.

• Focus on hosting diverse and local businesses within MSAs, promoting local produce and services tied to the local area that support local businesses.

• Implement innovative sustainable practices like waste harvesting (e.g., CO2 capture, bio-waste) to minimise the environmental footprint of MSAs.

• Adopt low-carbon construction and operational practices, reducing the environmental impact of MSAs.

• Make sustainability metrics and practices visible to visitors, creating awareness and showcasing a commitment to environmentally responsible operations.

Outcomes:

• Empowering Communities: Local people and businesses are supported by Motorway Service Areas, creating vibrant, inclusive spaces.

• Sustainable environments: Motorway Service Areas support climate adaptation and mitigation by protecting the environments they are part of and integrating sustainable practices and materials into business models and processes.

Collective Vision for the Service Area of the Future

The Motorway Service Areas of the future represent more than just rest stops on a journey; they are launchpads for transformative travel experiences, fundamentally changing how we connect with our roads, the environment and future technology. Implementing the six principles supports the creation of a holistic vision for the future, where:

MSAs act as accelerators of the green transition.

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By providing the necessary infrastructure, they reduce the anxiety and uncertainty associated with sustainable travel. This, in turn, fuels the growth of the broader zeroemission vehicle uptake, making sustainable travel more accessible on longer journeys.

MSAs are at the forefront of sustainable practices, minimising the environmental impact of travel.

By promoting sustainable behaviours, travellers actively participate in a culture shift, supporting the transformation of a traditional carbon-heavy industry as they are actively thinking about the role of their journey and its environmental impact.

MSAs become resilient to future technology.

By embracing and preparing for the future, MSAs are capable of adapting to diverse technology changes beyond EVs like hydrogen vehicles.

MSAs become an integral component of the road network, shaping a future where travel is a restful, well-planned experience while simultaneously reducing its environmental impact. With their commitment to user well-being, environmental responsibility, and cutting-edge technology, MSAs position the UK as a global leader in sustainable transportation and infrastructure development.

Participants to the Future of Service Areas workshops discussed a varied set of topics, challenges and opportunities. While the six principles described above are a synthesis of these discussions, the following quotes exemplify the richness that underpins them, demonstrating the nuanced discussions and rich tapestry of topics explored by the participants.

“How might we understand what different people consider a beautiful place?” “Google is going to rank the stops for charging your EV”

MSAs can function like hyper-local cities. Does EV/Charging technology really extend the need for a longer stop?

Prototype the solutions. It would be great to try some of the solutions we’ve discussed before rolling them out, but it can be a luxury to do that.

Is there always the expectation to purchase something at MSAs? Or how can you use the facilities for free, and which ones?

MSAs can use train stations and 15-minute cities as inspiration to integrate experiences with technology.

There are opportunities to use anthropological methods and better understand user needs: Use ethnography to observe behaviour of EV users on how MSAs need to change.

How do MSAs look like in the digital age? How can AI impact them?

Can parking and EV parking be multilevel? For example, a couple of stories high, like airport lounges and with green walls. This frees up ground floor space that can be green and used by people. EV chargers are not reliable; there can be queues that build up the stress of customers at charging points. Users get annoyed when tech lets them down.

How do you integrate different faiths? Is it possible to separate eating areas from shopping spaces during fasting hours?

MSAs should work at each time of day, and the outside environment should create a welcoming atmosphere.

What are the essentials? What is being offered at each site, and how can you give each one a considered choice?

Can MSAs work like Airbnb’s? For example, through direct contact with sellers to personalise the experience or with sleeping options, you can book.

Do not increase the distance you have to walk to the main building, as disabled customers need ease of access.