MULTI-million-pound works have finally been completed on two service stations – 13 years after the sites closed their doors.

The north and south sites of the former Weyhill Services on the A303 will once again be open to the public this month after investment from Euro Garages.

The company had planned to open the service stations earlier this year but talks with Highways England have taken longer than expected.

Further work had to be carried out to the slip roads of the sites to get the all-clear from the authority.

It is now earmarked that the north site will be opened on September 5 and the south will follow on September 14.

Rob Buffham, national planning manager at Euro Garages, said: “We were in theory ready to open because we had constructed and completed the works on the site to the eastbound (north) slip entrances but then we were in discussions with Highways England about improvements to the slip road.”

It is expected that both sites will employ 40 people each, with a mixture of permanent and temporary staff in a number of outlets.

Following the rebuild, customers, at both sites, will have access to a BP filling station and parking for both cars and lorries, along with a Starbucks drive-thru, Greggs and Subway food outlets, and a Spar convenience store.

“It is very pleasing to get to this point, it has been a hard slog but we are glad we are here. The north and south sites are going to be employing a large number of people to have the stations open and that will be beneficial for the local community which is great news,” said Mr Buffham.

The former sites had been empty since they closed in October 2005 by Texaco, after The Little Chef that used to form part of the station was damaged by a fire in 2004. It was not subsequently rebuilt and trade then diminished.

Euro Garages, the largest independent forecourt retailers in the UK, was granted permission in June 2015 to demolish the service stations to bring the sites up to modern standards.

Mr Buffham added: “When we compare to what used to be at the sites, these stations will be a significant improvement for motorists.”