Claire Reid
Step aside Academy Awards, get out of the way, Grammy's - because the only award worth winning has been announced: the best service station in the UK.
Yep, we’ve all got a favourite but which is the biggest crowd-pleaser overall? I know the suspense is killing you all, so I’ll crack on.
The results are based on an annual poll carried out by travel watchdog Transport Focus, which asked more than 30,000 drivers for their favourite - and least favourite - service station out of the 120 dotted across Britain asking their views on the toilets, customer service, value of the food and drink and electric vehicle charging facilities.
Transport Focus said that in the sixth years of the survey, overall motorway services have ‘performed well with 94 percent of visitors satisfied with their visit, up from 93 per cent in 2022’.
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But - of course - there can only be one winner.
That winner, with a perfect 100 percent satisfaction rating, was Moto’s Rugby in Warwickshire.
The service station, which only opened in 2021, has more than 450 car parking spaces and 24 ultra-rapid charging points for electric vehicles.
It houses seven food outlets, including Burger King, Costa Coffee, Greggs and KFC, as well as having a couple of child play areas and even a designated spot for your pooch to stretch their legs.
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One visitor who voted for the winning services, said Rugby was ‘very clean and well laid out’ with ‘lots of choice for buying food and drinks. Lots of seating available both inside and out. Very attractive building inside, light and airy’. High praise.
And if I may impress you ever further, the Rugby services also won the title of best UK service station last year, too.
Moto chief executive Ken McMeikan said: “At Moto we are setting out to transform the UKs rest stop experience through accelerated roll out of ultra-rapid EV chargers, upgraded shower facilities for HGV drivers, ultra-fast wi-fi for commuters, rolling out changing places for those with limited accessibility and the major refurbishments of our toilets and baby changing facilities for all.”
He added: 'It's fantastic recognition that the motorway services industry as a whole are scoring an average of 94 per cent customer satisfaction, up from 88 per cent in 2017 when the first survey was completed.'
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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.”