Drivers downgrade motorway services in the UK

Professional drivers’ satisfaction slumps, though the worst in Britain last year is much improved

Drivers’ satisfaction with motorway services is dwindling, according to the latest annual survey of the roadside rest areas.

Fewer than three out of five users regard food and drink as good value for money: the proportion fell from 64 to 59 per cent.

Overall satisfaction among professional drivers – those who drive for a living – is also down 5 per cent on a year ago, at 83 per cent.

The average satisfaction level among all motorists dropped from 92 to 90 per cent.

The figures are revealed in the Motorway Services User Survey by Transport Focus.

Norton Canes on the M6 Toll is rated as best in Britain for the second year running, while Severn View, northwest of Bristol on the M48, is regarded as worst.

The review site Motorway Services Online describes the tail-ender as: “Possibly the windiest service area known to man.

“Severn View is a historic and now slightly neglected site alongside the original Severn Bridge.”

“Despite its name, it is not actually immediately adjacent to the bridge, the river or the motorway junction, though it is connected to all three by public footpaths.”

The service area, though, gets a “four-burger” rating out of five.

Last year’s last-placed services, Thurrock on the M25, is the most improved of the year.

Britain has 112 motorway service areas, run by six companies. Four of those firms – Euro Garages, Extra, Roadchef and Welcome Break – have seen their satisfaction scores fall. Moto has remained at the same level.

Only the small, family-run firm, Westmorland, improved its satisfaction rating: 86 per cent of visitors were “very satisfied”, compared with only 38 per cent for Euro Garages.

“Westmorland visitors are the most likely to plan to stop there before they set off,” notes the survey.

It reveals that the average motorist drove for an hour and a half before stopping to take a 20 minute break.

Best motorway services

1. Norton Canes (M6 toll)
2. Heston Westbound (M4)
3. Gloucester Southbound (M5)
4. Stafford Northbound (M6)
5. South Mimms (M25)

Worst motorway services

1. Severn View (M48)
2. Burtonwood (M62)
3. Cullompton (M5)
4. Frankley Southbound (M5)
5. Charnock Richard southbound (M6)