UK's best and worst motorway services ranked in new survey

UK's best and worst motorway services ranked in new survey Watford Gap, which is on the M1 in Northamptonshire, has been ranked the UK's worst motorway service, with one of the country's newest coming out top Britain’s oldest motorway services has been ranked the country’s worst. Watford Gap — specifically the northbound facility of the M1 in Northamptonshire — came bottom in a nationwide survey of 37,000 people by watchdog Transport Focus. The southbound side didn’t do much better either, finishing 119th in the list of 123 pit stops. The survey still saw Watford Gap north get a satisfaction rating of 86%, but down from 95% last year. To see more of the stories you love from The Mirror and to find them easily in Google then make us your preferred source. Free and easy-to-do, just click on the link here to find more from The Mirror at the top of your feed. Yet even that score seems high judging by online reviews elsewhere. Tripadvisor gives both Watford Gap services an average score of 2.6 out of five. Reviews in the past week alone slammed its “vile” and “disgusting” toilets, while another said: “This isn’t just tired - it’s sleepy and needs wakening up.” Watford Gap opened in 1959 at the same time as the M1, the UK’s first major motorway. Millions of motorists have passed through it since. It was also a late night haunt for 1960s pop stars including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Even owner Roadchef admitted the services was showing its age when, three years ago, it announced plans for its demolition and replacement with a new travel hub. Transport Focus says that since the survey was carried out, some food outlets at Watford Gap northbound have been refurbished. Roadchef has also announced more than £300million of investment across its business over the next five years. The company also runs Bothwell services on the M74 in Scotland, which was second bottom in the survey, and next worst Taunton Deane going south on the M5 in Somerset. In a statement, Roadchef said: “We take feedback from our customers very seriously and are committed to acting on the findings of the Transport Focus survey to continue improving the overall customer experience at Watford Gap. The 75-year lease extension secured this year at Watford Gap Northbound and Southbound services enables long-term, transformational investment in EV, service facilities and the overall customer experience." Yet the gap between the lowest and highest ranked services has narrowed, according to the survey, which was carried out by researchers asking visitors their experiences of different aspects. Top - and 86 miles up the M1 from Watford Gap - is Welcome Break Rotherham, which only opened in January last year at a cost of £40million, and created around 230 jobs. The main amenity building, measuring 32,000 sq ft, includes food venue and shops, a gaming area, toilets, seating and a children's play area on the ground floor. An upper mezzanine floor includes further seating and a business lounge/remote working hub. Among the outlets are a Starbucks, Pret, Burger King, Chopstix, The Good Breakfast, KFC, Waitrose, and WHSmith. It also features electric vehicle charging, an outdoor exercise area, alongside dedicated facilities for HGV drivers, including a gym. Tripadvisor gives it a score of 4.3 out of five, with reviews praising its “amazing” children’s play area, and “helpful and happy staff”. Second placed was Moto’s Rugby services, followed by the firm’s Sawtry, at junction A1 (M) in Huntingdon, Cambs. One glaring omission from the list are those run by the Westmorland family, which have been hailed in other surveys. Its Gloucester services on the M5 took the top spot in research by consumer group Which? last year, with a sister site at Tebay on the M6 second. One visitor praised Gloucester’s staff, food, farm shop and garden, plus its lakeside walking trail, which dogs are also welcome to enjoy. It has been four years since Which?’s last motorway services survey. Transport Focus said none of Westmorland’s site had been included because it had chosen not to participate. Louise Collins, director at Transport Focus, said: “Motorway services have improved significantly over the years, and road users are seeing the benefit. "There is still more to do, including on car parking, wayfinding and facilities for HGV drivers, and our survey will help us track progress in these areas in the years ahead.” Three-quarters of disabled visitors said the services catered well for their impairment. This is an increase of 13% since 2022 but still one of the lowest scores for a category in the survey. Ms Collins said: “We’ve also seen real progress on accessibility. It shows what can be achieved when the industry recognises an issue and works together to tackle it.” HGV drivers reported a 90% rate of satisfaction and so were less satisfied with facilities than the general public. Only 54% viewed HGV parking availability positively, 51% said the number of showers was sufficient and 42% were happy with the value of the parking package. Value for money was another metric that was rated lower, with no services scoring higher than 74% for the value of their food and drink. Overall satisfaction with the value of EV charging was 58% as services begin to contend with a changing fleet of road users. In a statement, Roadchef said: “We take feedback from our customers very seriously and are committed to acting on the findings of the Transport Focus survey to continue improving the overall customer experience at Watford Gap. "The 75-year lease extension secured this year at Watford Gap Northbound and Southbound services enables long-term, transformational investment in EV, service facilities and the overall customer experience." Top ranked services 1. Welcome Break Rotherham 2. Moto Rugby 3. Moto Sawtry 4. Welcome Break Sarn Park 5. Moto Kinross Bottom ranked services 119. Roadchef Watford Gap southbound 120. Welcome Break Sedgemoor northbound 121. Roadchef Taunton Deane southbound 122. Roadchef Bothwell 123. Roadchef Watford Gap northbound