UK’s best and worst motorway service stations revealed

Drivers have had their say on which of Britain’s motorway service stations are the best - and which are worst - for mid-journey pitstops.

Travel watchdog Transport Focus questioned 9,600 drivers on key issues ranging from the quality of the toilets to staff friendliness at a total of 111 motorway service stations across the UK, The Guardian reports.

Around 92% of respondents in the survey, now in its second year, said that they were happy with their visit overall. However, almost a third “felt they had been ripped off by overpriced food and drink”, says the newspaper.

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The poll found that the best place to stop off on a motorway journey is the Roadchef in Norton Canes, Staffordshire, which scored 100 out of 100. Moto’s Thurrock site in Essex was voted the worst, with a satisfaction rating of just 68%.

In a remarkable turnaround, Stafford Southbound, which was voted the second-worst service station in 2017, with 70%, has now risen to the runner-up spot for the best facility, achieving a 99% rating, the BBC says.

Heston East, Hounslow, has also climbed up the pecking order, rising from an approval rating of 62% last year to 88%, the broadcaster reports.

Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: “As the summer holiday getaway gets into full swing, it’s good to see motorway services customers feel they get a good experience.”

“Motorway services play an important role in providing the break motorists need,” he added.

Here are the best and worst service stations in the UK, as voted by motorists:

The top five

1. Norton Canes - M6 Toll in Staffordshire - 100% satisfaction

2. Stafford Southbound - M6 in Staffordshire - 99%

3. Wetherby - A1(M) in Yorkshire - 99%

4. Hilton Park Southbound - M6 in Staffordshire - 99%

5. Corley Southbound - M6 in Warwickshire - 99%

And the bottom five

107. Bridgwater - M5 in Somerset - 81%

108. Newport Pagnell South - M1 in Buckinghamshire - 81%

109. Southwaite Northbound - M6 in Cumbria - 80%

110. Toddington Southbound - M1 in Bedfordshire - 72%

111. Thurrock - M25 in Essex - 68%