Pub chain J D Wetherspoon has announced plans to open the first pub at a motorway service station on the M40, prompting a backlash from campaigners who claim it will tempt drivers to drink and drive.
The new pub will open at Beaconsfield services on the M40 in Buckinghamshire later this year amid Government plans to lift restrictions on the sale of alcohol at motorway services areas.
The bar will be licenced to serve alcohol between 8am and 1am seven days a week.
Predictably, the plans have come under criticism from road safety campaigners. Carol Whittingham, founder of the Campaign Against Drink Driving, said: "I'm absolutely astounded they have got permission for this. People will be tempted to drink and drive.
"It is just not necessary. You can buy alcohol on every street corner so why tempt people by having it at motorways as well?"
Wetherspoon's reacted to the comments by claiming that the pub will serve motorway users who are not driving, including car and coach passengers.
A spokesman for the firm said, "We won't be asking them whether they are driving. It's up to them."
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