Service station voted best in UK thanks to new lavatories

A MOTORWAY service station in Staffordshire has been voted the best in the country thanks to its newly refurbished bathroom facilities, according to a survey by watchdogs.

The survey of drivers, conducted by Transport Focus, suggests that the thing they value most highly from service stations are well-kept lavatories.

Drivers also scored facilities including, staffing, food and drink – but the quality of lavatories appears to have swung the most votes.

The Norton Canes Roadchef on the M6 toll between Junctions 6 and 7, near Cannock, was awarded a top score of 100per cent, largely thanks to its modernised and clean bathrooms.

Transport Focus said: “It delivered the basics extremely well, providing new refurbished toilets, and visitors rated the choice of food and drink served by friendly staff.”

A Moto service area at Thurrock was the lowest ranked in the annual survey.

Of the five lowest-ranked services, four were run by Moto, while one was run by Welcome Break. Roadchef and Moto dominated the top five highestranked service areas.

Transport Focus asked 9,600 customers about their experience at 111 motorway services in England.

Overall, the survey found 92 per cent of customers were satisfied with their visits. The friendliness of staff was rated good by 94per cent of visitors, while 89 per cent of visitors were satisfied with the cleanliness of the lavatories.

However, just 66per cent of visitors thought the food or drink was good value for money.

Anthony Smith, the chief executive of Transport Focus, said: “Motorway services play an important role in providing the break motorists need.

“Motorway service operators need to focus on ensuring customers see their experience as value for the money they’ve paid.”