Forton Services, M6

Forton Services, now called Lancaster Services, between junctions 32 and 33, was the second service station to be opened on the M6 motorway, in November 1965 - the first being Charnock Richard. It is famous for its concrete hexagonal Pennine Tower.

In the cantilevered space, 74 feet across, was a restaurant and sun deck, looking out over Morecambe Bay and the Trough of Bowland. The site and tower were designed by T.P. Bennett and Son, responsible for much of the development of the new town of Crawley, West Sussex; and was originally operated by the Rank Organisation.

The structure, which emulates an air traffic control tower, stands beside the northbound carriageway, with an enclosed bridge linking it to the southbound. The tower closed in 1989, as the restaurant deck lacks a secondary exit in the event of emergency. Despite Grade II listing in October 2012 it stands rather forlorn. Indeed, the whole site looks very worn.

Poster copyright Steve Millership.