Boost for Leeds key workers as new £64M services open on M1 with 300 new jobs

But for key workers, such as NHS nurses or teachers, travel is something they may still have to do.

And now key workers driving down the M1 will have a new £64M service station to help break up the journey (as long as you're maintaining key social distancing advice).

Leeds Skelton Lake Services has opened two miles east of Leeds city centre and has created 300 new jobs.

-> Join the Yorkshire Evening Post's Leeds Coronavirus news group for the latest news and information as soon as we get itThe services has put in special measures for the pandemic, such as adding on-the-go Costa Coffee.

A spokesman for the services said: "Although due to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the new development has had to open on what is a phased basis, it is from ‘day one’ already providing a safe, clean and attractive friendly environment where motorists and all road users can stop for a rest, comfort break and to refuel, as well as recharging their Electric Vehicles.

"Once fully operational, Leeds Skelton Lake Services will offer a wide range of popular ‘brands’ within the spacious and attractively designed Food Court & Amenity Building, together with a Business Centre and 100 Bedroom Ramada Hotel.

"Initially and due to the challenges of coronavirus, the new Texaco Fuel Filling Station and combined Spar Convenience Store is now open, inclusive of Costa Coffee and other food & beverage ‘On-the-Go’ product ranges.

"There are extensive facilities for HGV drivers and their vehicles, as well as parking for all other categories of vehicle and the new IONITY ‘high powered’ EV Charging Stations.

"The Customer WC & Washrooms / Showers within the Amenity Building are also open, with high standards of hygiene and operating with the appropriate ‘precautionary measures’.

"Once fully operational and working in conjunction with Extra’s other tenant operating partners, the uniquely designed Food Court & Amenity Building will host Nando’s, Starbucks, Burger King, KFC, LEON, Pizza Express, Harry Ramsden’s, Upper Crust, Pasty Shop, Mi Casa and Chopstix, together with Urban Express and other complementary ‘brand’ outlets. There will also be a ‘new concept’ Sourced Market ‘branded’ food & beverage facility, inclusive of a Deli-Counter and a full range of high quality naturally produced products, many as sourced from the Yorkshire Region."

Andrew Long, CEO for Extra MSA Group, said “In these unprecedented times, Extra is taking the necessary measures to ensure that those who need to move around the Country, inclusive of the Yorkshire Region, can do so safely, whilst taking all necessary and recommended ‘protection measures’ for our employees, customers and tenant ‘brand’ operating partners.”

“Keeping MSAs opens is fundamental to the safe use of the UK Strategic Road Network and whilst these are challenging times, the opening of Leeds Skelton Lake Services will provide additional ‘critical infrastructure’ facilities as are also important for the National and Regional economy.”

“With Leeds Skelton Lake, Extra is also keen to be looking into the future, in terms of what users will require for both themselves and their vehicles. In addition to providing more than 300 full time equivalent new jobs, the process for the evolution of this new development has involved Extra working closely with many locally based ‘stakeholders’, including Leeds City Council, Leeds City Region LEP, Highways England, Leeds University & Colleges, together with the Ahead Partnership.”