Motorway Services Online
banner
motorwayservices.uk
Motorway Services Online
@motorwayservices.uk
Actual, real posts about motorway service stations. There's 97, by the way.
Pinned
Hello. We are the UK's largest website about the history and architecture of service stations.

Time will tell whether this is a suitable platform for posting news, nostalgia and archive discoveries, but in the meantime you can read it all at https://motorwayservices.uk
Motorway Services Online
Find motorway services near you with the online guide to UK motorway services, with details of every motorway service area in the UK including facilities, reviews and the history of motorway services.
motorwayservices.uk
Why nobody knows what colour this road sign is
Nobody knows what colour this road sign is
If you think this sign should be green, you're wrong.
motorwayservices.uk
December 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
On a permanent sign?!
December 26, 2025 at 9:30 AM
What happened to the UK's quirky independent operators? You won't any these days.
Operators - motorway services
A list of the companies which own and operate motorway service stations in the UK, including some forgotten names which built early services but can't be found any more, as well as all the major…
motorwayservices.uk
December 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Reposted by Motorway Services Online
Merry Christmas from Folkestone service station
December 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Basingstoke councillors raise concerns about "critical shortage of HGV parking" and then oppose planned Basingstoke services
"Be careful what you wish for", says councillor
A motorway service area has been proposed at Basingstoke . Detail and history of that motorway service station planning application can be found here.
motorwayservices.uk
December 23, 2025 at 3:26 PM
On this day at 12pm, 60 years ago (1965): A four month trial began for Britain's 70mph motorway speed limit. The trial was a response to a number of incidents often involving fog, so a 30mph speed restriction during fog was included. The trial was extended before becoming permanent
December 22, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Moto and Welcome Break have published their detailed Christmas opening hours, finally revealing what a good portion of the road network will be offering over the festive period
Christmas - motorway services
Are motorway service stations open over Christmas and New Year? Most service stations are open over the Christmas period, but with very limited facilities.
motorwayservices.uk
December 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
On this day 40 years ago (1985): the Thorney Interchange was completed. An offset stack with a railway line running through it made for an unusual junction on the soon-to-be-completed London Orbital Motorway.
December 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
On this day 55 years ago (1970): the M61 motorway was completed, including the complex Worsley Braided Interchange. An opening ceremony was held at Anderton services
Rivington - motorway services
A detailed history of Bolton West services/Rivington motorway services, including the design, contracting and planning arrangement for Bolton West services/Rivington, as well as some trivia.
motorwayservices.uk
December 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Rownhams services robbed as staff forced into toilets
Staff forced into men's toilets in Rownhams Services during robbery
Officers are investigating following a robbery at Rownhams Services.
www.dailyecho.co.uk
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
On this day 25 years ago (2000): the first Extra-branded service area opened at Cambridge. It was the first of three developments, and the one that has by far grown the most.
Cambridge - motorway services
Guide to Cambridge services on the A14 at J24 and J24A: location of Extra services at Cambridge, Cambridge services reviews and more about Cambridge services from Motorway Services Online, the…
motorwayservices.uk
December 15, 2025 at 12:45 PM
On this day 5 years ago (2020): Seven Bridges services reopened following a legal controversy
Seven Bridges - motorway services
Guide to Seven Bridges services on the A419 southbound between Cirencester and Swindon: location of BP Express services at Seven Bridges, Seven Bridges services reviews and more about Seven Bridges…
motorwayservices.uk
December 9, 2025 at 10:30 AM
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.
December 8, 2025 at 4:29 PM
On this day 5 years ago (2020): the first GRIDSERVE electric forecourt opened at Braintree. Dubbed the 'forecourt of the future', it was laid out like a petrol station, but with charging points powered by on-site energy generation
Braintree Electric - motorway services
Guide to Braintree electric forecourt on the A131 at Great Notley: location of Gridserve services at Braintree Electric, Braintree ev forecourt reviews and more about Braintree services from Motorway…
motorwayservices.uk
December 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Used to think the longest thing in the world was the walk to the toilets at Rugby services, but after watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw I'm not so sure.
December 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
On this day 67 years ago (1958): the M6 Preston Bypass opened. Once the solution to a major bottleneck, Britain's first motorway remained busy and has since been extensively rebuilt, now forming a key part of the national motorway network.
Picture credit: roads.org.uk
December 5, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Reposted by Motorway Services Online
It appears that EG Group are installing these signs at all of their sites, seemingly without LHA approval given the flag signs are wrong sized, and placed well before a turn, and do not meet the requirements for non-motorway service area facility signs.

@motorwayservices.uk

Have you spotted any?
December 2, 2025 at 9:19 AM
On this day 20 years ago (2005): the M42's Active Traffic Management was switched on. The hard shoulder running scheme, which relied on extensive CCTV coverage, staff management and maintenance to ensure it always failed safe.
November 29, 2025 at 1:32 PM
On this day 65 years ago (1960): the M50 Ross Spur motorway opened, a crucial part of cutting the corner between the Midlands and South Wales, but ultimately not one of our core routes - meaning it still retains some of its sharp junctions and narrow bridges.

Picture credit: roads.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:08 AM
On this day 30 years ago (1995): Granada outlined the terms of their hostile Forte takeover
Granada on the motorway
List of Granada motorway services, and more about Granada and Granada .
motorwayservices.uk
November 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Moto begins removing West Cornwall Pasty Co. units from service stations
Moto begins removing West Cornwall Pasty Co. units from service stations
List of West Cornwall Pasty Co. motorway services, and more about West Cornwall Pasty Co. and West Cornwall Pasty Co. .
motorwayservices.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:27 AM
A lot of online newspapers are running a Christmas story about the best service station. It's based largely on our data with little attribution. So you can see the actual list of your top-rated service stations here:
Ratings - motorway services
A list of the best rated motorway services, and the worst service stations, from thousands of user ratings of motorway service areas.
motorwayservices.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Christmas advert idea. You stop driving because the weather is bad. Then you get snowed in at a service station. But it's OK because it's Beaconsfield services and there's actually loads to do.
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 PM
We don't use Cloudflare, so while the internet is offline, why not read about service stations?
Motorway Services Online
Find motorway services near you with the online guide to UK motorway services, with details of every motorway service area in the UK including facilities, reviews and the history of motorway services.
motorwayservices.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Reposted by Motorway Services Online
Our 2026 calendar is now available to purchase. With 12 stunning images of Scotland’s roads from the 1930s to the 1990s! 🥳

Order here: www.scottishroadsarchive.org/online-store...
Online Shop | Scottish Roads Archive
Our online store includes limited edition items produced exclusively for the Scottish Roads Archive. The proceeds ensure we can continue our work.
www.scottishroadsarchive.org
November 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM