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11th March 2008

Drivers Discover a Forest in the Making at Leicester Forest East Service Area

Motorists on the M1 can now discover more about The National Forest at Leicester Forest East Service Area.

Drivers travelling north from the service area will pass the sign for The National Forest and see fields of young woodland. As the trees grow and mature and new woodland is planted, this view will change. Leicester Forest East has been made a 'gateway' to this Forest in the Making – helping visitors to know more about this ambitious environmental project and learn about the huge array of things to see and do across the Forest.

The Service Area lies just south of The National Forest boundary between junctions 21 and 21a of the M1 motorway in Leicestershire and is a perfect place from which to set off and explore the Forest.

Welcome Break and the National Forest Company have worked together to add a range of information facilities across the rest stop. These include a picnic area, lovely new tables in the restaurant, a leaflet display unit and signage.

Dave Goring, Site Director at Leicester Forest East, said: 'Leicester Forest East Services acts as a "gateway" for millions of visitors to the region every year and we are delighted to support the National Forest Company by helping to create awareness of the area.'

Sophie Churchill, Chief Executive of the National Forest Company, said: 'The enthusiasm from Welcome Break has been fantastic. We are working closely in partnership with them at Leicester Forest East to highlight the growing National Forest and the exciting range of things to see and do across the 200 square miles. I hope that people passing through the service station will return and discover the easy-to-reach hidden gems right here in the centre of England. It surprises all our visitors what tranquillity and interest you can enjoy so near the motorway.'

This project is part of the East Midlands Tourism funded Visitor Infrastructure Project, designed to promote the wealth of things to see and do across the 200 square mile Forest, and make the connections between one part of the Forest and another. Other sites that feature new facilities as part of the project include Conkers, Twycross Zoo, Ashby Tourist Information Centre, Ferrers Centre for Arts and Crafts, Snibston, Sence Valley Forest Park, the new YHA National Forest and Rosliston Forestry Centre. Each site now has a variety of information points, ranging from shelters, panels and benches, to listening posts and touchscreen kiosks. Additional sites still to be installed include Beacon Hill Country Park and Foremark, Staunton Harold and Thornton Reservoirs.

The work across all locations is due to be completed by March 2008. As well as these innovative information points, visitors can also find more information on the huge choice of things to do and see in the Forest or places to stay for a brilliant weekend break by contacting the National Forest Company on 01283 551211 or logging onto this website.

Supported by East Midlands Tourism.

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Media contacts

For further information contact Carol Rowntree Jones, Media Relations Officer, or Penny Wilkinson, Tourism & Promotions Officer, at the National Forest Company on 01283 551211.

Digital images available, contact:

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The National Forest area covers 200 square miles of the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Its objective is to increase woodland cover within its boundaries from an initial six per cent to about a third. No multi-purpose forest on this scale has been created in the UK for one thousand years. To date the proportion of woodland cover for the Forest has already more than doubled to 17 per cent and 7 million trees have been planted.
2. Year by year, The National Forest has been steadily turning what was once one of the least wooded areas of England into a multi-purpose, sustainable forest. The National Forest provides environmental and economic benefits, including landscape enhancement, creation of new wildlife habitats and major new access and leisure opportunities. It is an excellent example of sustainable development – with environmental improvement providing a stimulus to economic regeneration.
3. To achieve its objectives, the National Forest Company works in partnership with landowners, local authorities and private business and has strong support from Government, politicians and the public. The Company, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2005, receives grant in aid from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
4. East Midlands Tourism was established in April 2004 by East Midlands Development Agency and is responsible for improving the skills, quality standards and the value and competitiveness of the tourism industry. For more information visit www.eastmidlandstourism.com
5. East Midlands Tourism works with five Destination Management Partnerships – Experience Nottinghamshire, Explore Northamptonshire, Leicester Shire Promotions, Lincolnshire Tourism and Visit Peak District & Derbyshire. These organisations are responsible for managing their sub region as a tourist destination, working with local stakeholders, and are the first point of contact for businesses and visitors. For more information visit www.discovereastmidlands.com
6. East Midlands Development Agency (emda) was set up in 1999 to bring more jobs and skills to the region and to make the East Midlands a better place to live and work. Emda's vision is that the East Midlands is one of the top 20 regions in Europe by 2010.