Choose Staffordshire service station wisely, survey says

A new survey compiled by watchdog Transport Focus has ranked all 112 service stations across England with drivers and passengers asked to rate sites based on toilets, prices and staff friendliness.

While the Roadchef run Norton Canes service station on the M6 toll was ranked as the seventh best in the country, the M6 southbound Stafford Services came 111th, finishing only above Heston services eastbound on the M4.

Towards the middle of the pile was the M6 northbound Stafford services, run by Moto, which finished in 65th place, just ahead of Burntwood services on the M62, run by Welcome Break.

The results were compiled after research was carried out with 8,700 service station users.

Each was asked questions in order to give each site a satisfaction rating, with the winner, the Moto run Reading services westbound on the M4, being given a 100 per cent score.

According to the study, 90 per cent of customers said they were satisfied with their service station visit, and the same percentage were happy with the cleanliness of the toilets on site.

Staff friendliness was also rated highly, scoring 94 per cent overall.

Speaking about the results of the survey, Anthony Smith, chief executive at Transport Focus, said: "Our research shows that up and down the country motorway services are providing customers with a good experience and are playing a positive role in helping them rest and recharge before continuing to drive.

"They tell us they feel less stressed and are more awake after a good break.

"Motorway service operators must not rest on their laurels however; our message is clear – use the results to deliver even higher levels of customer satisfaction in future.

"Ensuring that visitors feel their experience is worth the money paid, that the choice of food is good and the services are welcoming and well-maintained are important areas for motorway service operators to watch."

Research conducted by insurance company Admiral has also revealed that the West Midlands sits in the middle of the table in a regional ranking of service station prices.

While a meal consisting of a bottle of water, 500ml bottle of Coca-Cola, a ham sandwich, sausage roll, packet of Walkers crisps, a Cadbury Dairy Milk bar and a packet of wine gums would set you back £15.84 in the South East, customers in the West Midlands would have to shell out £15.15, one pence more than in London.

The cheapest area to purchase the items would be the North West, where they would total £11.36.

The average price of the same items in a supermarket is just £6.11