Frequently Asked Questions

This list used to contain a massive list of questions which no-one ever consulted, so I've now consolidated it and checked my emails for questions I really do get asked frequently. Before that, I just need to give the usual message, because no matter how many times I put it people still manage to miss it: this site is not affiliated with any operator or service area. If you want to contact them, you're looking in the wrong place - find the right place.

On the other hand, if you're looking for information on the function, history and location of services, you're in the right place. There is a separate FAQ page for the forums.

Contents 1 Motorway Services 1.1 What are the opening hours of services? When are they closed? 1.2 How many services are there? 1.3 Which is the busiest or biggest service area? 1.4 Which is the smallest or quietest services? 1.5 Which is the oldest service area? 1.6 Which is the newest service area? 1.7 Who is responsible for the sliproads (or any other aspect of) a service area? 1.8 How do I book a hotel room? 1.9 Will a big sports match or TV event be aired at a certain service area? 1.10 How much does it cost to park at a service area? 1.11 Which service station is the most unique? 1.12 Which services have showers? (or any other facility) 1.13 How can I find out about coach drivers discounts? 1.14 Can I use a 'back exit'? 2 This Website 2.1 How is this site funded and what is your interest? 2.2 Do the operators visit this site? 2.3 Do you have any sister sites in other countries? 2.4 How do I update something on the site? How do I log in? 2.5 Why was my edit undone? 2.6 Why aren't all the services listed in the a-roads section?

Motorway Services

What are the opening hours of services? When are they closed?

All motorway services must be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year providing parking, fuel, hot drinks and basic food. During quiet periods this may well be achieved by directing everyone to the petrol station or, if a bridge is available, to the service station on the other side of the road.

Other services, if signposted from the road, will be open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. If the signposts say "not 24hrs" or "fuel only 24hrs" then they will be open from 8am to 8pm. All of these dates and times are the minimum requirements and some services may choose to exceed these. If there are no signs to the services then their opening hours are completely up to them.

How many services are there?

As of 2010 there are 91 services open and signed from the motorway, but that's counting the two Staffords and two Sedgemoors as one, counting Lymm and Carnforth which are borderline truckstops and including Todhills rest area. There are many large services on a-roads which are covered on this site but haven't been counted.

Which is the busiest or biggest service area?

The biggest is Beaconsfield on the M40, which is also one of the newest. Cobham is due to take the title when it eventually opens. No-one knows what the busiest is - this information hasn't been released.

Which is the smallest or quietest services?

Again, no-one really knows. Cullompton and Pease Pottage are both pretty small but have been expanded recently. There are smaller services, but they are not usually designed for motorway traffic.

Which is the oldest service area?

Watford Gap on the M1 opened in November 1959, but it didn't provide full facilities until September 1960. For this reason, Newport Pagnell, which opened in August 1960, is often wrongly given the title.

Which is the newest service area?

Wetherby on the A1(M) opened in 2009. Cobham on the M25 was due to open shortly after but has been delayed until 2012.

Who is responsible for the sliproads (or any other aspect of) a service area?

If the service area is directly accessed from the motorway, the Highways Agency are responsible until the end of motorway signs, and take responsibility again from the start of motorway signs at the exit. Between them the operator is responsible. If the services are accessed via a junction then this becomes a little blurred but the boundary can usually be identified by signs and a change in road surface. The local council would be responsible for the roads outside of the services.

Although operators control the content of the road signs on the motorway, the Highways Agency maintain them and should be contacted first.

How do I book a hotel room?

You can usually just turn up on the night, but if you want to pre-book your room then you will need to contact the hotel. Use the Services Search page to find a service area with a hotel and then click on the service area you want. Under facilities, find the 'book rooms' button to go to that hotel's page.

Will a big sports match or TV event be aired at a certain service area?

If the event is big enough then the answer is almost always yes, but that's the best answer I can give. As always, for the best response ask the operator.

How much does it cost to park at a service area?

If this information isn't listed on the site under 'parking prices' on that service area's page, then I don't know. You'll have to ask the operator.

This applies particularly for people wishing to park for several days.

For all other parking queries, see Parking.

Which service station is the most unique?

That would have to be either Lancaster on the M6, featuring a very 1960s spaceship-shaped tower, or Tebay, a privately-run service area in the Lake District which is often described as the best service area around.

Which services have showers? (or any other facility)

Where information is available, it is listed on the site. Most motorway services now provide showers as it's actually a legal requirement for new services. If the information isn't available, then I don't know, and you'll need to ask the operator.

How can I find out about coach drivers discounts?

See the page on Professional Drivers.

Can I use a 'back exit'?

These roads are for authorised traffic only, so you can't, but there will often be very little to stop you. That's a risk for you to make your mind up on.

This Website

How is this site funded and what is your interest?

The costs of maintaining this site are very low so are funded entirely by its owner. It provides independent information to the public.

Do the operators visit this site?

I can give you a straight yes for that one - they've even tried to rig the ratings a few times! Several people on the forums work for an operator too.

Do you have any sister sites in other countries?

No, simply because I know very little about other country's motorway networks and if I were to list every service station in the world we'd be here all day! A quick Google search shows that there are very few websites about foreign service stations, perhaps it's because they're not as infamous as UK ones.

How do I update something on the site?
How do I log in?

Firstly, if you're not already registered, get on with it! Click 'register' in the top-right corner and fill out the form. Afterwards click 'log in' at the top-right and provide your details. Then go to the page you want to update and click on the 'edit' tab beneath the blue bar (you might need to refresh the page for this to appear).

To upload a photo, log in and visit Special:Upload.

Why was my edit undone?

Whenever you edit a page on this site, you allow others to further edit or remove your work - this is even stated on the edit page. If your edit was completely removed then a reason will be given on the history page (click the 'history' tab on the appropriate page) or on your talk page.

Why aren't all the services listed in the a-roads section?

Simply because if they were the list would be enormous! Only services which have official services signs are included on the list, as this implies that they provide a certain standard of facilities. Only the most important a-roads are covered on this site as I don't have the time to add any more.