THE NATIONAL Roads Authority (NRA) will this week lodge planning applications to build three service stations on two of the country's busiest motorways - the first of 12 to be built.
The lack of service stations so far has meant that drivers can drive from south of Gorey in Co Wexford to the Border without finding a place to stop for fuel, food or toilets.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey signed orders at the end of February allowing for service stations to be built along national routes - with the first two on the M1, and the third of 12 of the M4.
Each service area will either have facilities on both sides of the motorway or will be accessible from both sides of the motorway, the Minister said, in a written parliamentary reply.
The NRA is "actively pursuing" lands for the remaining nine stations, and the first tranche - which are to built and run by private companies - should be ready by early next year.
Each station will have extensive parking, fuel pumps, toilet areas, sit-down and takeaway restaurants and some space will be set aside for Garda enforcement, Mr Dempsey told Labour TD, Roisin Shortall.
Fourteen consortiums applied to build and run the first three stations, following publication of an advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Community last May.
Five companies were short-listed: Macon Consortium, Service Area Solutions, Macquarie Partnerships for Ireland, Land Securities Trillium and Superstop Consortium.
The NRA had initially considered developing service and rest areas separately, but changed its mind following consultations with a number of local authorities, the Minister said.
Service areas with extensive parking available for both cars and HGVs "offer a more attractive product and a more secure environment for all drivers" and allow for "a more comprehensive enforcement of transport law and regulation," he said.
