Always puzzled me as to why popular truckstops don’t make money. What would be your minimum requirements for truckstops?
Mine would be : Hard standing, security fencing, prebooked arrival time, with confirmed parking slot, individual shower/washrooms (like the old BP ones), wide selection of fresh healthy food available, TV and bar room, outdoor gym, and/or even a running track around the yard.
Wi-fi, fuel facilities and a constant patrol, for security, and to stop anti-social behaviour (such as drivers ■■■■■■■ in the yard), and make the place more amenable for women and normal minded people. Maybe even a pharmacy type shop for talking to chemist about any nascent ailments you may be suffering from, instead of leaving it until you get home, or just something for your headache. Basically, somewhere, that is a cross between home, and high street, but with quality service. A chain of some sort needs to be established, subsidised by govt if needed.
Comparing the BP Truckstops, you had Meer Feuchtwangen and Frechen who had several shower/toilet rooms which were cleaned between every driver, you were given a towel, they had washing machines, dryers and you could pay for a service wash.
Compare this to Carlisle. Alconbury. Birtley and South Mimms were the shower/toilets were cleaned every Wednesday whether they needed it or not. The continental truckstops had a good menu and selection of fresh food cooked to order. The UK truckstops microwaved or deep fried it all and kept it warm for a week.
A Carlsberg truckstop…
Wouldn’t have any sweaty, moaning and thieving lorry drivers in it.
yourhavingalarf:
A Carlsberg truckstop…Wouldn’t have any sweaty, moaning and thieving lorry drivers in it.
or lazy gits that can’t make it to the toilet to point percy
A clean place that serves good varied well cooked food (not cheap greasy crap)
Clean showers and toilets.
Reasonably priced with voucher incentives,.with added security …simple.
That is all we NEED, anything extra is a bonus.
If the Govt looked into subsidising (even in the form of an interest free loan) the setting off of these places, especialky in areas of chronic parking shortage problems, it would ease the driver shortage…ie make tramping more attractive.
In other words treat us like human beings.
Most truckstops in the UK range from ■■■■ poor to complete ■■■■ holes, with about 3 or 4 that I can think of that are at least up to standard.
I would hope for a separate drivers room like this.
No coach drivers allowed (even though I occasionally drive coaches myself) 
Or this
Secure parking and toilets thats all i need
Facilities that are clean and work.
The other side of this is that it’s OK bleating about facilities but look at what happens to the ones we have already.
Yes there’s a balance to be had but after cleaning ■■■ off multiple parts of a toilet for an umpteenth time I’d probably think ‘screw you’ too.
The other side of this is that it’s OK bleating about facilities but look at what happens to the ones we have already.
That is a good point, do these places have toilet cleaners or brushes in the cubicles, if the answer is yes why do they get into such a state?
One of the biggest issues with most MSA’s, as far as HGV drivers are concerned, is the hike from the lorry park to the main building. How many of us have made it to the parking area, then had to pee up the wheel because we knew ■■■■ well we wouldn’t make it through the hordes of coach passengers dithering around Costa and McDonalds to the bog?
How about them building a basic toilet block in the lorry park, for starters? Doesn’t need showers, leave them in the main building; just urinals , traps and a couple of sinks. If vandalism or damage is considered a problem just fit them out like many public bogs are, with stainless steel kit. I’d sooner have a basic toilet within easy reach than no toilet at all.
I concede that there will still be some dirty buggers who persist in peeing on the tarmac; but at least with toilets in closer proximity they wouldn’t have any excuse and could be shamed out of the habit.
That would be a start; and a dedicated transport dining area would be an even bigger bonus. Having a shop which sells a few basic trucker’s accessories does not make an MSA lorry-friendly.
And while they’re about it; sort out the fuelling area so that it’s more accommodating to modern HGV’s. There’s a few sites (Magor is notorious for it) where the pump layout creates a serious bottleneck now that the majority fuel on the nearside.
Wheel Nut:
.Compare this to Birtley .
My home town, but the BP at Birtley closed years ago…It’s now Arnold Clarks
Ken.
If you notice, there are a handful of truckstops in this country, that are privately owned, and are usually rammed every night, and you have to ask yourself why?
To name a but a few…
Red Lion, ADS at Stoke, Newport, (Mandy Santini’s)
These are the sort of places that the mainstream MSA’s could learn a thing or two from, but they know that companies will pay their rip off prices, because of the convenience of being off the motorway.
And I know it will never happen, but if companies did prevent their drivers form parking at these places, and factored into the day the time allowed to venture off the motorway a little, then once the MSA’s revenue drops, they might wake up and smell the coffee. (Or the stench of ■■■■.)
There are others that are up and coming in giving the drivers what they want, and as long as we give them our custom, then the future can only be bright.
Ken.
And then, Ken, there are others like Barton Park. No cafe, it closed when Covid struck and I am told by the staff it will not re-open; showers only open from 3pm till 8pm, a scruffy run-down petrol station and a badly lit lorry park littered with the stumps of old RSJ’s and various pot-holes.
Moto, who often trumpet themselves as being lorry-friendly, are responsible for running this dump. If it was a public car park in a town, the local council would shut it on Health and Safety grounds.
Others who desperately need a kick up the backside include Swindon and Avonmouth, where a makeover has absolutely ruined what used to be a good cafe; whilst Chippenham has gone from being a decent place to stay, to a twee overpriced farm shop.
ive not done nights out since late 70’s early 80’s, used to like carlisle truck inn, j44 m6, toilets and washing facilities inside and out, good cafe, shop, reasonably secure parking, lorry park was hard standing, stayed there when i could. on the other hand there was watling street on the a5 j9 of the mi absolute ■■■■■■■■■
Go take a look at formula truck stop, Ellesmere port, and tell me carlsberg haven’t already made one. Just a shame it’s down the end of the m56
fridger:
Go take a look at formula truck stop, Ellesmere port, and tell me carlsberg haven’t already made one. Just a shame it’s down the end of the m56
Just looked it up and if honest it does look a decent place.
Next time I’m that way I’ll call in for my 45 and see what it’s like.
Why aren’t places like this advertised more . Make drivers aware.
As can’t say ever seen in in that free truckstop news paper
Quinny:
Wheel Nut:
.Compare this to Birtley .
My home town, but the BP at Birtley closed years ago…It’s now Arnold Clarks
Ken.
And alconbury that’s a maritime depot has been for few years now…the fuel pumps are still there though
I simply MUST have less than a 2 foot pile of excrement in the toilet - that is non-negotiable.
Where in Stoke is this ADS that Quinny mentioned?
robroy:
Where in Stoke is this ADS that Quinny mentioned?