Motorway service areas

[Pale Rider]

Look at the M25, it took them almost 30 years to open the Cobham services. Before that opened the whole of the west side had no service area, you could go round half the motorway from the M23 to the M1 without passing a single service station.

When South Mimms opened after the M25 ring was completed there was a sign for the services on the A1 southbound.

It said something like:
Services: Eastbound 28 miles.
Westbound 90 miles.

The point being the sign referred to the same services.

 

[theclaud]

Bristol to Barry? Excuse me while I fan myself with my copy of Metropolitan Elite.

Ahem. It's the San Francisco of South Wales.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

If no one has mentioned it, then rather than use Leicester Forest East near junction 21 of the M1, coming off Junction 21 there is a huge Sainsbury's with the usual cafe and petrol station. Also on the same site is a Pizza Hut if you prefer.

 

[Spinney]

M6 J23 there is a 'normal' filling station on the roundabout. Mind you, it is a hideous roundabout on a busy road, so maybe not worth it?

 

[Bromptonaut]

Hmmmmm.... There's actually some quite nice cycling around Beaconsfield and the Chilterns IIRC, and that there London is quite do-able as a day trip!

Jordans Youth Hostel is in same area as Beaconsfield M40 services and SO much nicer.

 

[Lancsman]

M6 J23 there is a 'normal' filling station on the roundabout. Mind you, it is a hideous roundabout on a busy road, so maybe not worth it?

Junction 23 is home to me, and having done the 4 1/2 hour drive up here today for christmas the hideous roundabout was a welcome site. But you are right even after the recent upgrade it is still a hideous junction.

 

[User482]

Ahem. It's the San Francisco of South Wales.

Barrybados!

 

[Brandane]

Why don't they copy a good idea from the Americans? Over there, on approach to junctions on interstate highways, there is usually a small sign indicating what food outlets, fuel brands, and hotels are available within a couple of miles. Once off the highway, another sign will send you in the right direction and tell you the distance to whatever facility you require.
Compare that to our system, when I was driving a lorry in unfamiliar areas and sitting with a Shell or BP fuel card in my pocket. On approach to junctions you don't have a clue whether the nearest fuel station which will accept your card is a few hundred yards away, or 20 miles. Even motorway services don't tell you in advance; you need to pull into the place to find out what brand of fuel they sell.

 

[ufkacbln]

You mean like these:

 

[steveindenmark]

I find that the service areas as you ride on the toll roads in France are brilliant. They are not massive, sprawling places. But small, well kept and very clean which serve good food. For me the price of the toll roads are worth it because of the service areas.

 

[Nigel-YZ1]

It's like going to the cinema or the races. You're a captive audience so can be taken for as much as you're willing to give. The fact they're sat on the main delivery network so supply is probably cheaper is conveniently overlooked.

 

[ufkacbln]

It's like going to the cinema or the races. You're a captive audience so can be taken for as much as you're willing to give. The fact they're sat on the main delivery network so supply is probably cheaper is conveniently overlooked.

Also limits employment as well.......difficult to get to for employees

 

[Beebo]

Also limits employment as well.......difficult to get to for employees

Most have rear service roads, for staff, they are controlled by electric barriers now, but used to be used by those in the know.

 

[Brandane]

You mean like these:

No; that doesn't tell me if I'm going to be able to use my Shell card, or BP card to buy fuel - or even if a 15'6" high articulated lorry will be able to access it . It doesn't tell me what kind of food is available, or whether the hotel is going to be a £500 per night luxury job, or a £30 doss house. It tells me there is a toilet, fuel, food, and accommodation in Bampton, that's all!

 

[screenman]

It's like going to the cinema or the races. You're a captive audience so can be taken for as much as you're willing to give. The fact they're sat on the main delivery network so supply is probably cheaper is conveniently overlooked.

What percentage of turnover ends up as profit for service station businesses?