England's best and worst service stations revealed

Value for money was raised as the main area of dissatisfaction for service station customers in England

Lancaster Forton Northbound services in Lancashire (istock)

With a heatwave affecting much of the UK and the school holidays in full swing, people around the country are taking to the roads to enjoy Britain in the sunshine.

For those travelling by car and coach, a stop at a motorway service station is as inescapable as traffic jams and middle-lane drivers.

A study revealed today shows which of these service stations make the cut and which leave customers wanting.

The independent watchdog Transport Focus quizzed 9,600 visitors to 111 motorway service stations around England on their level of satisfaction in relation to food, drink, cleanliness, toilets and staff friendliness.

At the bottom of the pack, Thurrock services on the M25 was rated the worst in England, with a customer satisfaction rating of just 68 per cent.

This was closely followed by Toddington Southbound on the M1, which came a close second with a rating of 72 per cent.

Both operations are managed by Moto which are reported to have undergone major development works resulting in disruption.

At the other end of the spectrum, Norton Canes on the M6 toll road was ranked the best place in England to stop and recharge, earning an impressive 100 per cent satisfaction rate from customers.

People were generally happy with the choice of food available to them, with the introduction of well-known brands widely regarded as positive.

But, value for money was identified as the main area of dissatisfaction for visitors, with more than half feeling annoyed at having to pay a premium for fuel at service stations.

Overall, visitors reported high levels of satisfaction, with 92 per cent claiming to be happy with their visit, while those who drive for a living ranked slightly lower at 82 per cent.

The Independent have approached Moto for comment.

Best service stations in England

• Norton Canes, M6 – 100 per cent
• Corley Southbound – 99 per cent
• Frankley Northbound – 99 per cent
• Hilton Park Southbound – 99 per cent
• Killington Lake – 99 per cent
• Pease Pottage – 99 per cent
• Stafford Southband – 99 per cent
• Tebay Northbound – 99 per cent
• Tebay Southbound – 99 per cent
• Wetherby – 99 per cent
• Woodall Southbound – 99 per cent

Worst service stations in England

• Thurrock – 68 per cent  
• Toddington Southbound – 72 per cent
• Southwaite Northbound – 80 per cent
• Bridgwater – 81 per cent
• Newport Pagnell Southbound – 82 per cent
• Toddington Northbound – 82 per cent
• Clacket Lane Eastbound – 83 per cent
• Leicester Forest East Northbound – 83 per cent
• Winchester Southbound – 84 per cent
• Leigh Delamere Eastbound – 85 per cent
• Medway Eastbound – 85 per cent
• Severn View – 85 per cent