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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 28/08/2026

Am screenshotting because the author doesn't need to know, but the story as to why Chieveley is so hard to get into is actually quite interesting: motorwayservices.uk/History:Chie...

A tweet saying: Suggest you avoid Chieveley Services on the M4/A34 this long weekend. A labyrinth to get to, and out of, from any direction, and a packed car park and facilities #scrum

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 08/08/2026

Warminster services was built by Granada in 1992. It was rebranded after 9 years. 25 years after that, local media (presumably using a police statement) are still trying referring to it by this name! The pinnacle of 'old habits die hard'

A section of The New Blackmore Vale Magazine, saying: The 39-year-old was also disqualified from driving for 40 months and must pay £200 compensation to his victims.

The charges came after, at shortly before 10pm on July 21, police were called to Burger King at Grenada Services, Warminster, where Korgul was intoxicated and being abusive towards staff by throwing items and spitting at them.

Officers attended and spotted Korgul driving a vehicle in the car park, with a child inside.

Korgul was clearly intoxicated and alcohol was located inside the car.

He refused a breath test and was arrested. The child was returned home.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 18/06/2026

Not dumping on the poster because I'm the weirdo here, but you were literally in a shop full of maps! You were fine!

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 15/06/2026

Not posting the link because I don't want to dump on the achievement, but this is very obviously not true. The M5 opened in 1974. The A38 is 3 miles away and the service station wasn't picked up and moved. Wellington News (I blame ChatGPT) were thinking of the Cullompton Bypass, which isn't Taunton

Pre-motorway man celebrates half-century with Taunton Deane M5 service station
When Nigel joined Roadchef in 1976, the service station looked very different to the busy M5 motorway services drivers know today.
The motorway did not then exist and the site sat on the old A38, consisting of little more than a small building with a shop, restaurant, and forecourt.
The southside main building was only just beginning construction, while the northbound side operated from a simple cabin serving bacon and sausage baps.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 06/06/2026

The quintessential service station layout. 'Give way' signs are both in the wrong place. Junction on the right is badly faded so people assume the 'straight on' has priority. Potholes.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 21/05/2026

And this is what we are being replaced by. But it's worth stressing that while you (our kind Bluesky follower) may be outraged by inaccuracy, the vast majority would lap this up. They'd make a YouTube video about the A3102(M) sooner than they would check the link for details.

Screenshot of Google saying: In the UK, the M4 holds the record for the most consecutive motorway-to-motorway junctions.
Between Junctions 15 and 20 near Bristol and South
Wales, the route features five consecutive interchanges exclusively connecting to other motorways.
These five consecutive motorway junctions include:
1. Junction 15: Connects to the A419(M) (towards Swindon and Cirencester).
2. Junction 16: Connects to the A3102(M) (the former Wootton Bassett Spur).
3. Junction 17: Connects to the A429(M)
(Cricklade/Malmesbury).
4. Junction 18: Connects to the M46 (an unbuilt, proposed route; currently links to the A46).
5. Junction 19: Connects to the M32 (the primary commuter route into central
Bristol).

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 22/04/2026

I assume this is the old trucker's entrance to Frankley services. I don't know for sure, but it definitely looks like it hasn't been touched for 40 years. Maybe someone will call the Tyreservices Action Line to check? "The only permitted service in this area" - pretty sure that was outlawed in 1979

Concrete wall with double doors, one half boarded up and the other half with a fire exit. A peeling sign over the door gives directions to "Restaurant, Toilets, Shops". An embossed message on an advertising board says: "Tyreservices, for emergency breakdown tyre service: Tyreservices action line, 0800 474 474, the best got better! The only permitted service in this service area"

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 16/04/2026

Don't bother sending me that article called "How UK Motorway Services Are Becoming Tourist Destinations" which is appearing in multiple outlets. This is the header image they are using. It's pure slop.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 10/03/2026

After all the fun of Bolton West years ago, people ask me what the current worst service station is. Honestly, none are in that league. But if we're looking for the 'most depressing entry', Knutsford gets let off way too lightly. Most of it was once brown brick. Who signed off the cladding?!

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 08/03/2026

Did you know? It would take Usain Bolt 9.58 seconds to run the length of the footbridge at Washington services. I would like this to be confirmed one day.

Usain Bolt running down the footbridge at Washington services (Photoshop)

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 03/03/2026

Anybody have any contacts at Medway services to bring this offer back?

Newspaper article: Love-struck couples in Medway planning to tie the knot next year could be on course for a deluxe Christmas present
- a £5,000 wedding at a motorway service station.
Bosses at Medway Pavilion on the M2 at Gillingham have put together their own special-rate package to entice sweethearts to take the plunge in the fast lane.
But the deal does have one small hitch
— no booze - which means you will not be able to toast the newlyweds happiness with their favourite tipple.
The bizarre break from tradition comes as new laws are set to be introduced relaxing restrictions on where people can get married.
And Pavilion Services, the company which runs the station, says the idea has already attracted huge interest.
The package includes:
• £200 towards the cost of a wedding dress:
• hire of morning suit for the groom - including a chauffeur-driven car:
• all the food — including wedding cake and a four-course meal for 100 guests;
•a clergyman to perform a special blessing:
• hire of a hall and disco for an evening

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 20/02/2026

It's SRT Petroleum, a petrol station somewhere on the slow road between Dorchester and Bristol

Popular UK service station announces closures as another one enters liquidation

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 21/01/2026

It is officially the most barren "Services" sign (and yes it's also the wrong colour)

A direction sign with the legend "Services, Hotel" and then a bed symbol.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 16/01/2026

Welcome Break have announced their purchase of Cornwall services. I was going to tell you to read our coverage (link: motorwayservices.uk/Cornwall#Sale ), but we can't get you a picture better than what Reach Plc are using for this story:

Screenshot of newspaper article which has a photo of Cornwall services with the caption: "Cornwall Services towards which ketamine drug courier Chloe Walsh was speeding away before being caught by police"

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 09/01/2026

How many of roads.org.uk 's references did you spot?

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 08/12/2025

I have read this trash so that you don't have to, and the only complaint I could find was that she wanted to eat all the cheese.

A Mirror article saying: American tries UK's 'best' service station but isn't impressed by 2 things
Kalani Ghost Hunter, a social media star with 3.2 million TikTok followers visited Tebay Services in Cumbria, which is known as one of the best service stations in the UK

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 11/11/2025

As well as being nearly 2 years out of date and wrong, an article in today's Daily Express makes the bizarre claim that the UK hasn't opened any other service stations since 2005.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 06/11/2025

Infrastructure planning is bonkers, episode 33: The new Basingstoke services will be legally only accessible to motorists, despite having a large source of potential employees just 380 metres away from the building and the route by road being much longer (and congested).

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 26/10/2025

As evidence of Granada Roadside falls into history, it's quite impressive that this 30 year-old circle sign hasn't been hit by a vehicle. (Unlike the flag sign which is lying flat on the ground.) You can read a lot more about Granada and circles here: motorwayservices.uk/Internal_Signs

The entry to Sutton Scotney services, with a sign lying flat in the diverge, followed by an unprotected 'clearway ends' sign, an unprotected 'cars and caravans ahead' sign and an unprotected lamppost.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 25/10/2025

Incredible advert for Little Chef Whittington in 1972

Newspaper clipping says: Little Chef Limited required attractive young ladies to assist in running the above unit.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 24/10/2025

Correct, in fact, I think ALL of NH's signs immediately outside this service station contain errors, so there is a bit of glass houses here. Attached is a small sample Also, NH had a legal right to object to Moto's design work, which they chose not to use.

Lane sign with cardinal directions outside the patch's

Lane sign with "Services" in green and "A426(N)" written twice.

Lane sign on a motorway with "Services" written in white, whereas they have insisted for a long time that it should be blue.

Messy roundabout sign with "Services" written in white.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 24/10/2025

By way of comparison, here's what Moto actually installed, alongside what National Highways said "it's essential" that it looks like. That's not to focus on one site - they all have their quirks - it's just that this is the one NH have given a go

Moto-branded traffic sign with bent arrows.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 24/10/2025

National Highways - who make mistakes on around 50% of the direction signs they install - have published a map of what the signposting in Rugby services should look like (their words: "it's essential")... and it's far better than what's there.

Drawing of the road layout within Rugby services with imaginary direction signs added.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 07/10/2025

Here's 4 pictures of motorway bus stops, for people who want that

Glass bus shelter with real time information in the coach park at Paulstown services. Inter-city coach services stop here, providing a little public transport in this remote area (you'd need to be given a lift or take a taxi to get here, but it works for students and daytrippers). One of the lampposts is damaged, adding to my suspicion that coaches don't use the bays properly.

A wide bus lay-by with a small shelter, from Heart of Scotland (Harthill) services. It looks great in the sun, but could be wet and windy on a bad day. Inter-city coaches stop here, adding barely any time to their journey, and there is a dedicated car park for commuters.

A typical suburban bus stop, from a leafy corner of Abington services. Local and express buses stop here, providing a limited service for staff and commuters. My only criticisms are the weird zebra crossing location that buses will constantly block, and the under-stated location that could be moved closer to the building.

A simple bus stop flag, from outside Severn View services. Its simple location on the roundabout means semi-fast buses on the motorway can easily stop here, but it does make for a miserable place to wait and a miserable walk up to the service station and/or viewpoint. Its position on the roundabout is also unsuitable in a modern era. But don't knock it: it gives the nearby village its only regular bus service, if anyone is prepared to walk here.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 07/10/2025

It's easy to assume being interested in service stations must mean you hate active travel. Here are 4 reasons I disagree - but sometimes you do have to hold their feet to the fire. (Context and thoughts in alt tags.)

A rural footway with a sign directing cyclists to South Mimms services. This old road, now part of the National Cycle Network, runs around the service station and has been connected to it since it opened.

A large shared footpath, built along a rural road, paid for by Applegreen as part of a new motorway service area. Despite being primarily for motorway traffic, Dunshaughlin services was built with two pedestrian entrances, both connecting to the new path. Sadly, as local authority and/or developer weren't willing to extend it to the nearby town, the new path literally goes from nowhere to nowhere, but it's a start.

A modern, blue, cycle sign giving directions to, among others, "Services", which is in half a mile, apparently to the left. This is from the A64 at Bilbrough, a very old, busy dual carriageway with bus stops and businesses along it. It recently had its footway upgraded and turned into a shared arrangement: far from ideal, but better than nothing. This signage is probably more about urging people not to cycle across such a major road, as the service station is out-of-view to the right.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 28/08/2025

Medway just eclipses it and may well be the winner of the "closest building to a motorway" competition, but the height difference makes it less precarious

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 28/08/2025

Kind-of incredible that this building has lasted 62 years without being damaged by a vehicle

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 19/08/2025

Fans of "WHSmith carpet" will appreciate Heston East

Small chequered tiles taped on top of generic brown tiles.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 03/08/2025

Oh would you do one, I'm trying to write about service stations.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 23/07/2025

This is just a service station for losers

Instagram post: Tesla's new diner just changed what charging a car looks like
The company opened its first official Tesla Diner in Los Angeles, where drivers can eat, watch movies, and relax while their cars charge.
The location features retro architecture, two massive movie screens, and thirty two high speed Superchargers, open to all even if you don't drive a Tesla.
Robots like Optimus serve snacks, and people waited overnight to be part of the launch, making it feel more like a theme park drop than a restaurant.
Musk pitched the idea years ago and now it's real, turning a pit stop into an experience.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 29/06/2025

Been a while since I've been that way... is that an AI generated Tebay services?

Online newspaper article from "newshub", leading with a suspiciously green picture.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 24/06/2025

People don't believe me when I talk about Wetherby services, but Google Earth illustrates it really well. There's massive queue to get in (yes that's it on the motorway), and yes there aren't enough parking spaces - but there are still quite a few spaces that people simply can't find.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 16/06/2025

Was this your first day at work? These photos were taken to mark the opening of one of the first ever motorway Burger Kings at Forton services in 1994. Many photos like this will have been taken for company magazines, but they are very rarely archived, and will be important to those featured.

10 staff standing at the counter of a Burger King

4 staff pretending to work at the counter of a Burger King, taken from further back.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 30/05/2025

I don't think anybody has noticed it before, but the exit from South Mimms truckstop gives directions to the A1(M) while ignoring the M25. The sign itself is newer than the M25, but it was probably copied from one that existed before.

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Motorway Services Online @motorwayservices.uk · 23/05/2025

I got sent a free trial of a social media assistant. I didn't realise that it was going to generate me some artificial images to post (something I wouldn't normally do on this account). So, for one time only, here's some AI service stations and associated quality content.