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23/06/2004
UK motorway service stations are 'worst in Europe': survey
UK motorway service stations are the worst in Europe, according to a new survey by European motoring organisations.
Eight UK stations were tested out of a total of 62 across Europe – and the Sandbach station on the M6 was found to be the worst of all.
Combined with tests carried out in 2000 and 2001, the results show that despite clear efforts by operators, prices and overall standards in the UK have barely improved.
One UK station has been tested in all three yearly surveys - Woolley Edge on the M1 near Wakefield – where there has been no measurable improvement. Sandbach on the M6 in Cheshire has been tested twice, and this time the results were worse than in 2001.
No stations in Europe were found to be "very good" and the inspectors only graded 10 stations as "good." They found 38 of them "acceptable" and 13 "poor." Only one - Sandbach - was rated "very poor."
The inspectors, in their report, said: "The UK had the highest percentage of bad results. You could stop for petrol and perhaps buy some provisions but we wouldn't recommend taking a break there."
The inspectors also said that the UK results fell way behind European competition when it came to catering; the price of a standard meal in UK stations was twice what it cost in Italy and Germany. Only Oxford service area on the M40 was rated "good", Tebay and Clacket Lane were rated "average" and Cardiff, Woolley Edge, and Frankley were rated "poor." Sandbach was rated "very poor" by the inspectors.
Bert Morris, Deputy Director of The AA Motoring Trust, says: "These results are very disappointing. Some motorway service areas are poor value for money, poorly managed, and poorly maintained. They give people what they have come to expect, and that is, all too often, a poor standard.
"General cleanliness, food quality, hygiene and prices are the key factors for consumers when they take a break from Britain's congested roads. These need to improve otherwise the UK's motorway service areas will not match the best in the rest in Europe for quality and value."
On the positive side, UK MSAs scored well for family friendliness, availability of goods in the shop and friendliness of service by staff.
(gmcg)
Eight UK stations were tested out of a total of 62 across Europe – and the Sandbach station on the M6 was found to be the worst of all.
Combined with tests carried out in 2000 and 2001, the results show that despite clear efforts by operators, prices and overall standards in the UK have barely improved.
One UK station has been tested in all three yearly surveys - Woolley Edge on the M1 near Wakefield – where there has been no measurable improvement. Sandbach on the M6 in Cheshire has been tested twice, and this time the results were worse than in 2001.
No stations in Europe were found to be "very good" and the inspectors only graded 10 stations as "good." They found 38 of them "acceptable" and 13 "poor." Only one - Sandbach - was rated "very poor."
The inspectors, in their report, said: "The UK had the highest percentage of bad results. You could stop for petrol and perhaps buy some provisions but we wouldn't recommend taking a break there."
The inspectors also said that the UK results fell way behind European competition when it came to catering; the price of a standard meal in UK stations was twice what it cost in Italy and Germany. Only Oxford service area on the M40 was rated "good", Tebay and Clacket Lane were rated "average" and Cardiff, Woolley Edge, and Frankley were rated "poor." Sandbach was rated "very poor" by the inspectors.
Bert Morris, Deputy Director of The AA Motoring Trust, says: "These results are very disappointing. Some motorway service areas are poor value for money, poorly managed, and poorly maintained. They give people what they have come to expect, and that is, all too often, a poor standard.
"General cleanliness, food quality, hygiene and prices are the key factors for consumers when they take a break from Britain's congested roads. These need to improve otherwise the UK's motorway service areas will not match the best in the rest in Europe for quality and value."
On the positive side, UK MSAs scored well for family friendliness, availability of goods in the shop and friendliness of service by staff.
(gmcg)
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