Motorway services provider, Moto Hospitality, has failed in its last ditch bid to get a £15.5m compensation claim heard by the highest court in the land.

Moto had been attempting to sue the Government over the allegedly damaging impact of road layout changes carried out at the Ardley interchange on the M40 in Oxfordshire between 2001 and 2002.

Moto had argued that the changes prevented direct access to the Cherwell Valley Motorway Service Area and hit its trade during and after the road works.

However permission to take its case to the House of Lords was yesterday refused and an Appeal Court ruling from early this year upheld.

Back in July 2006 The Lands Tribunal had ruled Moto was entitled to compensation in respect of both the permanent and temporary losses it claimed to have suffered.

However, in September this year the Appeal Court overturned this and said Moto was not entitled to compensation for permanent loss.

The court also ruled the roadside services operator would have to go back to the Lands Tribunal to find out if it could still claim compensation for temporary loss.

Moto triumphs in Loo of the Year competition >>

Roadside caterers face shrinking sales >>

Compass Group completes sale of roadside and travel catering businesses >>

Lands Tribunal >>

By court reporter

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