Health officials close cockroach-infested units on motorway services including KFC and Starbucks

A cockroach infestation has led to a motorway service area on the M40 being closed by health officials.

Four units of the main Welcome Break services near Oxford were forced to close immediately KFC and Starbucks.

A criminal investigation is underway into any food hygiene violations at the site, which is used by thousands of motorists and their passengers every day.

South Oxfordshire District Council today described it as a ‘significant’ cockroach infestation, also forcing The Good Breakfast and Chopstix to close.

Environmental health officers carried out an emergency investigation after a member of the public complained.

A cockroach infestation forced the closure of some of the Welcome Break services at Junction Eight of the M40 near Oxford, including KFC and Starbucks

Environmental health officers carried out an emergency investigation last month following a complaint and found a ‘significant’ cockroach infestation

Pest experts say record numbers of cockroaches are starting to invade homes and crawl across bedroom floors and under sofas in living rooms

Evidence of a cockroach infestation was found in the food preparation and serving areas of the outlets, posing a ‘significant risk of food contamination and an immediate risk to the health of customers’.

The four businesses at the site, at Junction Eight near Wheatley, will remain closed until officers say the health risk has been removed.

On Friday 31 May, at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Rana assessed the evidence and statements of the officers and on 20 May confirmed the imminent health risk and was satisfied that the risk to health remained.

The judge made a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order and also awarded the full costs of just over £3,000 to South Oxfordshire District Council.

Agents work with the companies and monitor these and other units at the location.

Paul Fielding, Head of Housing and Environment at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: ‘When we received the first complaint, our Environmental Health officers took immediate action and carried out an investigation at Welcome Break Services and served the Emergency Hygiene Ban Order outlining the temporary closure of the affected companies.

‘The contamination posed a significant risk of transmission and a serious risk to public health, and I am pleased that the District Judge has now approved the action taken by our officers.

“Our officers will continue to conduct regular on-site inspections to protect public health.

“They are also working with Welcome Break to address the issue and supporting their efforts to reopen affected units as quickly as possible.”

Pest experts say record numbers of cockroaches are starting to invade homes and crawl across bedroom floors and under sofas in living rooms.

The ‘cockroaches’ do not bite humans or cause physical harm, but they pose a health threat because they spread disease.

Britain’s mild winter and spring with lots of rain were perfect weather for the insects.

Pest experts from the SWAT squad warn there will be a record invasion – and an infestation could set you back up to £260.

Although there are more than 4,000 species of cockroach on the planet, two are the most prominent in Britain: the Oriental Cockroach and the German Cockroach, according to Bedford-based insect extermination company EWS Group.

You may also encounter the American cockroach and the brown-banded cockroach.

A criminal investigation is underway into any food hygiene violations at the site, which is used by thousands of motorists and their passengers every day.

Evidence of a cockroach infestation was found in the food preparation and serving areas of the outlets, posing a ‘significant risk of food contamination and an immediate risk to the health of customers’.

In 2022, students at nearby Exeter College of the University of Oxford threatened a ‘rent strike’ due to an invasion of the ugly insects in their bedrooms.

Students in the Cohen Quadrangle area of ​​Oxford’s fourth oldest university were left ‘disgusted and let down’ by a cockroach infestation in two communal kitchens and bedrooms.

The staff informed the newcomers that the first and second floors would be closed for a few days during freshers’ week for maintenance work.

They added that due to an “unforeseen maintenance issue,” both kitchens would not be open until Oct. 17 at the earliest, leaving as many as 90 students sharing a cooking space on the third floor.

Exeter College offered a 60 percent discount at both the Dakota Cafe in Cohen Quadrangle and the center’s main dining hall.

When students continued to see the insects, university bosses admitted the problem was a cockroach infestation in the kitchen vents on the first and second floors.

A statement called on them to ensure that “rubbish bins are emptied regularly and that no food is left uncovered overnight.