New Fiveways services officially opened by Matthew Hancock

The first phase of the new Fiveways Roundabout Service Area at Barton Mills was completed earlier this year after four years in development.

The revamped site has seen a Shell garage and McDonald's restaurant introduced, which developers Pigeon say have created 120 jobs and are already trading strongly.

Matthew Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, officially opened the site on Friday.

He was quick to cite the dualling of the stretch of A11 between Thetford and Barton Mills as key to the project. 'The dualling of the A11 has been a great success and brings with it more investment, such as this.

The Fiveways development near MIldenhall and Barton Mills on the A11 is officially opened by Matthew Hancock MP (right) with him is Richard Stanton Director at Pigeon Investment Management LTD (left) (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2015)

'The new facility here at Fiveways has brought 120 more jobs to the area and the McDonald's is already one of the best performing in the East of England,' he said.

The second, smaller-scale phase of the services will see a car servicing, MOT and tyre repair business open, alongside a car wash.

Richard Stanton, director of Pigeon, said he hoped the second phase would be open in the new year.

He said the first phase opening would stimulate the local economy.

'It's a high- profile site which we have been working on the redevelopment of for several years, and we are thrilled that national operators like McDonald's and Shell are prepared to come here.

'The timing works well because it coincides with the dualling of the A11 and there was a lack of facilities at the Fiveways, and we are trying to fill a gap in the market,' he said.

Mr Hancock also confirmed that Suffolk County Council has agreed to put in place a crossing on the A1101, improving safety for children crossing from Mildenhall College Academy and other pedestrians to the services area.

What do you think? Email Andrew Fitchett on andrew.fitchett@archant.co.uk