Concerns raised over motorway-side pub in Buckinghamshire

A new J.D. Wetherspoons pub opens today beside Junction 2 of the M40 in Buckinghamshire amid protests from several road safety organisations. The Hope and Champion at Beaconsfield services is licensed to sell alcohol from 9 a.m. in the morning and its opening hours will be 4 a.m. until 1.a.m. seven days a week.

But some road safety experts have criticised the decision to provide the public house with a license. Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for Brake, the road safety charity, said:

“The opening of a pub on a motorway is a serious concern, presenting a potentially deadly temptation to drivers. “Drink driving remains one of the biggest killers on our roads, causing devastation to families and communities every day.”

But the pub’s manager, Steve Baldwin, said:

“Myself and my team are looking forward to welcoming customers into The Hope and Champion primarily serves the Motorway users, but its facilities are also available to the surrounding community from the local road network.”

It was June 2013 when the South Buckinghamshire District Council gave the go ahead for plans to open the pub. But research by the RAC has revealed that just 12% of people support the decision to put pubs in motorway service stations, with 64% opposed to the move due to concerns over a greater number of road traffic accidents.

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