Environment Minister, Alex Attwood, has announced planning permission for two new motorway service stations on the M2, with two to follow on the M1.

These are the first of their kind in Northern Ireland.

Currently there are no service stations directly on the motorways in Northern Ireland so commuters have to leave the motorway at an existing junction to find a nearby service station. The proposed stations will have direct slip road access on and off the M1 and M2 in each direction.

On the M2 the new service stations will be located opposite each other on either side of the motorway at Browns Road, Ballycraigy, about two miles west of the Sandyknowles roundabout. On the M1 the proposed service stations, which go to Lisburn Council tonight for ratification, are again to be located opposite each other almost midway between Lisburn and Belfast about a quarter mile south of the Ballyskeagh Road.

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Mr Attwood said: "New motorway service stations are a first for Northern Ireland. This will be good for travellers and good for jobs. Their development will also provide a significant boost to the local economy, with a potential investment of some £20million.

"In bringing forward these recommendations my officials have been mindful that it is crucial that the planning system delivers for applicants who, despite difficult conditions, have the confidence to invest in Northern Ireland and provide significant employment generating activities. These large scale investment applications were submitted after detailed pre-application discussions between my officials and the applicants and represent another example of how DOE Planning is providing a speedier, more cost effective and more responsive service for everyone. These applications were turned around in just under 12 weeks, exceeding the Programme for Government commitment of six months."

(CD/GK)