Villagers will now have to take a detour up the A1 to use their nearest petrol station after the current two-way access arrangement has been declared unsafe. 

At last night's planning committee meeting Rutland County councillors agreed with National Highways that the existing two-way access into the Ram Jam petrol station and connected services at the A1 Stretton junction near Greetham must change, because of safety issues. 

The current arrangement was agreed back in 2020, when there was an application to demolish the Ram Jam Inn and replace it with a new service station. At the time the petrol station owners MPK Garages Ltd had raised concerns about a two-way access as the new service station would increase visits and lead to potential hazards between vehicles. But the planning committee decided to approve the two-way access as National Highways had not raised concerns. 

The garage owners then hired consultants to do a safety check, who found there were significant concerns including headlights dazzling drivers using the A1 and after a site visit by National Highways in April 2023, the government agency agreed and insisted the two-way system should be designed out 'through whatever means available'. 

Some work has already been done including restricting the access and installing crash barriers and so last night's planning application, which was made jointly by the garage owners and the service station developers Godwin developments, was retrospective. 

The new access restricts access to the site from the B668 road which connects Oakham North to Greetham. 

Speaking on behalf of the applicants Keir Price said: "Both applicant and tenant both agree that the situation is untenable and an alternative long term, safe access arrangement should be delivered as quickly as possible. 

"The proposed solution will ensure safe movement of vehicles from the A1 and the petrol filling station forecourt into Ram Jam services site and onto the A1 from both the petrol filling station and ram jam services avoiding conflicting vehicle movements from the petrol. Filling station forecourt and discouraging appropriate manoeuvres that would pose a risk to highway safety." 

He continued: "Any inconvenience caused by this proposal is clearly outweighed by the resulting highway safety for both commuters and local residents." 



Villagers will now have to take a detour up the A1 to use their nearest petrol station after the current two-way access arrangement has been declared unsafe. (Photo: Google Maps)

Stretton Parish Council and a number of local residents had objected to the new access arrangements and in a letter to the council had written: "A petrol filling station is a crucial part of the rural infrastructure for Stretton, Greetham, and Clipsham, where local services are already limited. It is the nearest fuel station for many residents and the only convenience store within miles. Now that the development is complete, this access has been removed without prior consultation, significantly impacting the local community. Removing the historical access will also impact staff of Stocken Prison who regularly use this fuel station from the B668." 

They also said neither the county council or the owners of the garage service station had consulted with residents before changing the access. Other solutions including a roundabout had been suggested by residents. 

But while understanding the situation, the chair of the committee Cllr Nick Begy (Ind), who is also the councillor for the ward, said residents have had access to the site from the B road for 30 years and so when the 2020 application was submitted, because there were no highways objections to two way access it had been approved. But he said he agreed with the new arrangement. 

Cllr Tim Smith (Lib Dem) said the safety issue, rather than access for local residents, was the overriding argument. 

And a report by officers said: "The proposed changes will result in there being no direct access to the filling station forecourt from the B668. This has been raised as a significant concern by local residents and the Parish Council, as it will result in a significant detour with vehicles having to join the A1 in order to access the pumps. Notwithstanding this, residents will still be able to use the filling station store facilities as they would be able to park in the adjacent developments car park and walk across using the dedicated footpath to access the store.  

"It is acknowledged that the loss of the two-way access will result in local residents having to travel much further in order to access the filling station pumps. However, following discussions with National Highways it is considered that the current arrangements are not safe and that the proposal to design out the two way access will result in a much safer arrangement where vehicles are not entering the filling station forecourt in the opposite direction to those entering the site from the A1." 

The committee agreed to approve the new access. 

When complete, the Ram Jam service station will include a Brightside roadside diner, Costa Coffee and a Wendy's restaurant.