Motorway Services

Today I stopped at Michael Wood Services M5 Southbound it was only 11 am but it always encourages me when caravans are directed with the cars and the lorries elsewhere.  It was empty but I parked in the overspill caravan area which was larger than most ordininary areas.  Only snag would have been a longish walk to the facilities but I could have got nearer had I not got what I wanted on board.  

Just as an aside, if you are travelling south on the M5 soon Sedgemoor Services (south of Bristol) still don't have fuel. I'm on the M5 this weekend so will see if this has changed but there's been no fuel for months with ongoing building work in the fuel area.

I had the misfortune to use Scotch Corner Services recently. On the way north we stopped for something to eat. They only seemed to signpost caravan spaces at the entrance but once you drive in the signage disappears. I ended up parking in the coach park, there doesn't seem to be HGV parking, luckily it was empty and I managed to park without having to reverse into a coach bay. I later discovered that the 3 caravan spaces are in the car park and only signposted on the floor 50 yards into the carpark. On the way south I entered the rather tight to access car park and headed to the caravan spaces only to find they were too small for my Skoda Superb and Bailey Pageant Elegance. Had the services been busy and the spaces opposite been in use I would probably have struggled to get out of the parking bay too.

We use two Service Stations when going to and from Eurotunnel.

We stop at Toddington southbound on the way down the M1, for a drink and change drivers over, and park among the HGV with no problems. The stench of urine on the car park means we stay for as little time as possible.

Then we stop at Maidstone to change drivers again. The bays are often filled with cars and the width of the bay means its virtually impossible to open the MH habitation door without damaging it or the vehicle parked alongside.

On the return journey from Eurotunnel we again stop at Maidstone for a few minutes to change drivers and allow the dog a short walk.

The stop at Toddington north bound in the 'Caravans Only' section, to swap drivers again, is rarely trouble free due to lack of space and non-Caravan/Motorhome vehicles filling many of the few spaces available.

The Motorway service areas we use are not fit for purpose for the amount of traffic on the roads today and extra Service Areas, whether full services or 'Aire' type stops, should be put in place to alleviate the congestion and overcrowding.

The Services on our Motorways are overpriced cash cows for the operators and places best avoided, if possible, for the rest of us.

Have a look at the Aires in France, posted on my Youtube channel -  www.youtube.com/user/keithchesterfield - and see the difference between our sad Motorway stopovers and the French equivalent.

I have not stopped in a motorway services for the last 7 years I think (other than for fuel). Had very little problems with the ones that I used and mainly parked amongst HGVs. If I wanted to change over drivers I think I would do it whilst refuelling.

EasyT - we change over at the Service Stations because the distance is from home to Eurotunnel is 230 miles with 99.9% Motorway driving (MI, M25, M20).

A stop for a drink and change driver at about 110 miles and again another 100 miles further on seems reasonable to us.

And as for refuelling at a Motorway Service Station - no way at the price they charge - first stop for fuel is the cheaper option of France.

If I need to refuel on a trip I choose motorway as access usually good with caravan on tow. Probably only happens once a year so cost is not a big factor on half a tank of fuel. 

I try to keep mostly to maximum of 3 hours drive as if driving much more than 1 and 3/4 hours I take pain killers before the off. After 3 hours they start to wear off. 

I am afraid that my days of 5 hour drives ave gone. After 200 miles of motorway OH would be a nervous wreck as she hates being on motorways. 

Corley is not far from where I store my van and on three occasions I have wanted to stop there for a quick break on my way home from a trip. Always I have failed because there was absolutely nowhere to leave the motorhome (this was going southbound). It is always very heavily congested and badly needs some improvements.  

Agree that most motorway services in this country are poorly equipped for caravans and there is no discipline about who parks where. Fortunately our fairly compact Motorhome is easier to park (but there are rarely signs for Motorhomes, only lorries, caravans and cars).

Whilst it is true that France is better equipped (although you are paying tolls for it), the French are even worse at parking in the wrong place. I guarantee that if it very hot there WILL be a lorry or car in the Caravan space if there is shade there. The lorry area is often a good option but the smell of urine can be very strong. You would think that strolling to the toilets would give them a bit of exercise? I always try and use the services facilities rather than our own because I welcome the walk.

Spare a thought for Switzerland where every services is small. Lorries park on the slip roads and vehicles crammed into every available space. Mind you, I have seen the same in France in busy areas at lunch time.