Uncleskid:
£32 to park ain’t the cheapest but it doesn’t come out of my pocket,I stopped there a couple of weeks ago and had what was supposed to be a suet pudding it was like shoe leather complete with frozen mixed vegetables normally food is usually ok,nice roast dinners and decent salads
You are kidding? £32 for parking■■? On that piece of cratered wasteland? And as far as I could see, not even a fence to keep the tealeaves out?
That is obscene.
I’d want a supermodel spec woman included for that.
32 quid? …no ■■■■ chance would I pay that on principle, (unless a meal shower and a couple of beers were included) re.imbursemebt or otherwise.
slowlane:
I’ve not had a bad experience at 26 though I’ve only stayed there a couple times. Thinking about it, I only stopped the night in summer so yeah, I guess it’s pretty boggy at the moment!
I’m parked up at South Mimms now and have bagged a decent spot so I might just stay put.
Living the dream mate?
There is a fine selection of EE trucks also living whatever third rate dream this is!!! I expected 3 or 4 of our wagons to turn up as we’re all on the same job tomorrow, I just departed 6hrs ahead of them. No sign of them though so I’m on my tod!
On the plus side, there’s an Ed’s Diner here for a good dinner.
Dipper_Dave:
Can’t believe I’m saying this but out the two South Mimms would be my choice.
J26 known for its ■■■■ poor surface and there was reports of drivers being told they had to buy stuff if they wanted to take a break.
Yes use them or lose them etc but being told I have to do something usually means I want to do the opposite.
Might be some interesting sights in the services at around 2-3am though.
The reports about having to buy stuff are true.
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
Dipper_Dave:
Can’t believe I’m saying this but out the two South Mimms would be my choice.
J26 known for its ■■■■ poor surface and there was reports of drivers being told they had to buy stuff if they wanted to take a break.
Yes use them or lose them etc but being told I have to do something usually means I want to do the opposite.
Might be some interesting sights in the services at around 2-3am though.
The reports about having to buy stuff are true.
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
If they think it’s ok to charge £32 for parking, I think it’s ok to not buy a cup of tea…
Dipper_Dave:
Can’t believe I’m saying this but out the two South Mimms would be my choice.
J26 known for its ■■■■ poor surface and there was reports of drivers being told they had to buy stuff if they wanted to take a break.
Yes use them or lose them etc but being told I have to do something usually means I want to do the opposite.
Might be some interesting sights in the services at around 2-3am though.
The reports about having to buy stuff are true.
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
the nodding donkey:
I stopped there last Friday for the first time, and unless hell freezes over, the last. A terrain that would be the envy of any armoured vehicle training/testing ground, and closed at 14.00.
14.00… and that [zb] hole wants to be called a “truck stop”■■
I parked there once and once only on a hot summers evening and Jesus Christ a sand storm erupted every time a wagon came in .
Edit that to say a dust bowl erupted not a sand storm.
I wouldnt know the place but from these descriptions it sounds like some ■■■■ hole dating from the 80’s. If theyre charging a ridiculous £32 to park then theres no excuse for not having hard standing of some sort. A few mixers of concrete poured out and spread around surely wouldnt go amiss. Personally wouldnt mess the tyres up parking in a muddy ■■■■ hole…
chester1:
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
Why wouldn’t you expect to use a truckstop to park for free for a 15/45? I’m not aware of anywhere else that demands a charge for such a short break. They are obviously aware that when a driver pulls in he is quite likely to be due a break and therefore is literally able to be coerced into coughing up, at least once anyway. Personally I find that method of operating to be comparable to a modern day ■■■■ Turpin. I don’t go there but plenty do.
But there are queues every night to get into it. In my opinion not because it’s particularly good but because it’s one of the few places to park overnight near London.
I had a cheeseburger there whilst on my 45 and I have to say it was rather scrummy.
I agree £32 is daylight robbery for parking (I never paid a penny to park anywhere in Europe ever) but, it’s their land and they can charge what ever they feel they can get away with, as well demanding people buy stuff from them during their 45.
I believe they also charge for trailer changes too.
It’s their trainset they can do what ever they like with it.
J26 food is very good, big portions from roast dinners to curries.
The staff are always polite and pleasant to me.
If you are not parked up on a normal weekday by 17.00 to 18.00 it is full up by then.
The owner also runs a small low loader fleet to Europe.
In the summer you have to shut your sun roof/window due to the dust.
Dipper_Dave:
Can’t believe I’m saying this but out the two South Mimms would be my choice.
J26 known for its ■■■■ poor surface and there was reports of drivers being told they had to buy stuff if they wanted to take a break.
Yes use them or lose them etc but being told I have to do something usually means I want to do the opposite.
Might be some interesting sights in the services at around 2-3am though.
The reports about having to buy stuff are true.
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
If they think it’s ok to charge £32 for parking, I think it’s ok to not buy a cup of tea…
If you don’t like the price don’t park it’s not an a public service like an MSA . How many private truckstops are left these days . Use them or loose them
chester1:
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
Why wouldn’t you expect to use a truckstop to park for free for a 15/45? I’m not aware of anywhere else that demands a charge for such a short break. They are obviously aware that when a driver pulls in he is quite likely to be due a break and therefore is literally able to be coerced into coughing up, at least once anyway. Personally I find that method of operating to be comparable to a modern day ■■■■ Turpin. I don’t go there but plenty do.
Many private truckstops do especially ones with gates that give you a ticket to get stamped to get out , Ashford for one does you only need to buy a cup of tea. it’s not unreasonable for them to expect what you eat on there premises is purchased from them you would not go to your favourite restaurant and take your own food would you
As long as it is full every night, they will carry on charging what they want and doing nothing about the state of the place.
Why would they? They are still raking in the coin, without having to spend anything to attract drivers. The only time they will start to think about improving things is when they start losing money.
Nothing will ever change because drivers, let alone companies, can’t present a united front on issues like parking or facilities.
chester1:
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
Why wouldn’t you expect to use a truckstop to park for free for a 15/45? I’m not aware of anywhere else that demands a charge for such a short break. They are obviously aware that when a driver pulls in he is quite likely to be due a break and therefore is literally able to be coerced into coughing up, at least once anyway. Personally I find that method of operating to be comparable to a modern day ■■■■ Turpin. I don’t go there but plenty do.
Many private truckstops do especially ones with gates that give you a ticket to get stamped to get out , Ashford for one does you only need to buy a cup of tea. it’s not unreasonable for them to expect what you eat on there premises is purchased from them you would not go to your favourite restaurant and take your own food would you
Last time I used Ashford, several years ago it was free for drivers taking a 15/45 and that’s how it should be when taking legally required breaks.
chester1:
Why would you expect to use a private truck stop for free . The parking is there soley to serve the cafe at least you can do is go in and buy a cup of tea
Why wouldn’t you expect to use a truckstop to park for free for a 15/45? I’m not aware of anywhere else that demands a charge for such a short break. They are obviously aware that when a driver pulls in he is quite likely to be due a break and therefore is literally able to be coerced into coughing up, at least once anyway. Personally I find that method of operating to be comparable to a modern day ■■■■ Turpin. I don’t go there but plenty do.
Many private truckstops do especially ones with gates that give you a ticket to get stamped to get out , Ashford for one does you only need to buy a cup of tea. it’s not unreasonable for them to expect what you eat on there premises is purchased from them you would not go to your favourite restaurant and take your own food would you
Last time I used Ashford, several years ago it was free for drivers taking a 15/45 and that’s how it should be when taking legally required breaks.
It hasn’t been free for years you have to get a ticket stamped to get out at ashford (may have changed recently ) . I only ever went in to go to the shop but they would stamp your ticket if they didn’t have what you wanted . Private truckstops have no obligation to give you anything for free . Why would you need to use a truckstop for a 45 unless to use the facilities
…no ■■■■ chance would I pay that on principle, (unless a meal shower and a couple of beers were included) re.imbursemebt or otherwise.