RESIDENTS in Matson have voiced their support for a controversial new motorway service station in Gloucester.

Proposals have been made by the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (GGT) to build a £30million service station next to the M5 behind Robinswood Hill, between junctions 11a and 12.

Julian Hiles, chairman of the Matson and Robinswood Residents Group, believes the services will benefit the area.

He said: "With the proposal comes long-term training and jobs for around 300 people and opportunities for business and the community to work closely together to bring lasting and substantial change.

"The residents' group's committee has had the chance to input into the project for over a year now – feeding our views and ideas into the design and consultation has been meaningful and interesting."

Despite opposing previous proposals for a motorway service area (MSA) near the site, Mr Hiles believes lessons have been learned.

"There was a proposal for an MSA around five years ago and we would not have supported it at that time," he said.

"Important lessons have been learned and we are proud to be working with GGT. We are excited by the regeneration and permanent community investment Gloucestershire Gateway will bring."

But there is considerable opposition for the proposal, shown in Whaddon last Tuesday when more than 150 people attended a meeting at Wynstones School to raise their concerns.

Eric Hibbert, chairman of Brookthorpe-with-Whaddon Parish Council, led the meeting.

He said: "There is no guarantee there will be 300 new jobs.The jobs that are made will be low-paid.

"They will be mundane and people will get tired of them. They won't be filled by local people.

"And there is no guarantee that the developers will deliver anything that they are proposing."