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On The Road to Heaven...Or Hell - Best Services Revealed

Norton Canes Service Station.
13 August 2018 | Updated 17 August 2018
 

Norton Canes (Roadchef) services on the M6 toll has been rated England’s best motorway services in a user survey by the independent transport user watchdog.

For the second year running motorway service operators have performed well overall with 92 per cent of visitors happy with their visit, although value for money continues to be a key area for improvement.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “It’s good to see motorway services customers feel they get a good experience. Motorway services play an important role in providing the break motorists need. Drivers tell us they feel less stressed and more awake.

“Motorway service operators need to focus on ensuring customers see their experience as value for the money they’ve paid – that there is good range of food on offer and that buildings are maintained to a high standard.”

 

Improving

Across the country continued investment by operators is making a real difference to driver experience when they stop at services. In last year’s survey Heston East was the lowest ranked site with 62 per cent satisfaction. This year it has seen a significant increase to 88 per cent satisfaction.

The biggest improvement of any site this year was at Stafford South – which has gone from 70 per cent satisfaction in 2017 when it was ranked second lowest to 99 per cent, the second highest performer in 2018.

 

2, 4, 6, 8 - motorway count-up

In this second annual survey Transport Focus asked 9,600 customers about their experience at 111 motorway services in England. Visitors had their say on facilities such as toilets, staffing, food and drink.

Overall, the survey found 92 per cent of customers were satisfied with their visit including:

  • The friendliness of staff was rated good by 94 per cent of visitor.

  • 89 per cent of visitors were satisfied with the cleanliness of the toilets.

  • At 88 per cent, satisfaction rates among people who drive for a living showed the biggest year-on-year increase, but remains lowest across all driver groups.

  • 66 per cent of visitors thought the food or drink available to eat in the services was value for money.

  • 24 per cent of visitors said they arrived at the services in a tired, stressed or frustrated frame of mind; this was reduced to just 5 per cent when leaving to go back on the road. This highlights the beneficial impact that a good motorway services experience can have on driving standards and road safety.

Picture: Norton Canes Service Station.

 

 

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 13 August 2018

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