Motorway services an hour away from Manchester named worst in the country

A motorway service station less than an hour away from Manchester has been named the worst in the UK, according to a recent survey.

The independent watchdog Transport Focus has released its annual rankings of the best and worst motorways services in the UK, now in its sixth year.

Transport focus spoke to 30,000 visitors to 120 different motorway services in the UK, asking them about toilets, customer service, value of the food and drink and electric vehicle charging facilities.

Moto’s Rugby services, which is the newest services in the UK, came out on top this year, having satisfied 100% of the customers surveyed.

The worst-rated services in the UK was Welcome Break’s Heartshead Moor (East) services, which is just under an hour outside of Manchester, near Bradford. It only scored an 84% satisfaction rate among customers. Transport Focus noted that, at the time the survey was being carried out, refurbishments were being carried out on the toilets and portaloos had been installed as a temporary measure.

Overall, satisfaction in the country’s motorway services has risen. In total, 94% of visitors were satisfied with their visit, up from 93% in 2022. When the survey first began in 2018, the lowest satisfaction score recorded was 63%, a significance from this year’s lowest, 84%.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “Our survey shows motorway services offer a great experience with friendly and helpful staff and provide drivers with the opportunity to rest, relax and take a break before continuing their journey.

“But there is still room for improvement, including making sure the range of food and drink on offer is good value for money for visitors as cost of living increases continue to bite.”

Best and worst motorway services in the UK

Best rated:

1. Rugby (Moto): 100% satisfaction

2. Killington Lake (Roadchef): 99%

3. Annandale Water (Roadchef): 99%

4. Wetherby (Moto): 99%

5. Stafford South (Roadchef): 99%

6. Corley South (Welcome Break): 99%

7. Chester (Roadchef): 99%

8. Reading East (Moto): 99%

9. Leeds Skelton Lake (Extra): 98%

10. Ferrybridge (Moto): 98%

Worst rated:

1. Hartshead Moor East (Welcome Break): 84% satisfaction

2. Toddington North (Moto): 88%

3. Toddington South (Moto): 88%

4. Bridgwater (Moto): 88%

5. Hartshead Moor West (Welcome Break): 88%

6. Lancaster South (Moto): 88%

7. Sedgemoor North (Welcome Break): 89%

8. Cardiff Gate (Welcome Break): 89%

9. Sandbach South (Roadchef): 89%

10. Membury East (Welcome Break): 89%