THE owner of Wales’ busiest service station, who which fears for its future in Monmouthshire if the £1.2 billion M4 relief road is built, has formally objected to the plan.

We have previously reported that Roadchef had expressed their concerns over the impact the planned £1.2 billion relief road would have on the viability of Magor Services, which employs 190 people at junction 23a.

Roadchef’s chief executive Simon Turl said the company could lose up to 80 per cent of its current business.

It has delayed planned investment there over its concerns it would be without “proper access” to the motorway.

Drivers would need to take a five-mile diversion to get to the service station, which would be on the current M4 road. That would then be designated as a trunk road once the project relief road is complete built.

Mr Turl said: “Like many local businesses, we want to see a new M4 delivered to the benefit of South Wales and the people living here. But we have been left with no choice but to object to the Welsh government’s proposal to bypass the busiest motorway service area in Wales.

“Our submission assesses that the planned route has serious implications on safety grounds, is inadequate for road users, will threaten the future viability of our site and our 190 employees, and will increase carbon emissions.

“We’ve attempted to engage with the Welsh government over the past year, but they have neglected to take these factors into consideration in their consultation. We are hopeful this will go to a full public inquiry to ensure adequate public scrutiny. In addition, we’ve proposed four alternative junction arrangements, which through this process will be given due consideration.”

The company’s submission was also backed by the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association.

Monmouthshire council will discuss their response to the relief road proposal at a meeting tomorrow.

Under current plans work could start on the motorway in 2018 and finish by 2021.