Motorway solutions stations. Several of us would consider them a necessary evil, what with their high pump costs, soulless meals ‘courts’ and banks of cash-guzzling arcade games.
But the government desires perceptions to adjust. The Department for Transport is appointing a panel of specialists – architects, motoring organisations and representatives of service station owners – to devise approaches to make service stations far more appealing.
Amongst the measures getting deemed are enhanced structural design and style, improved green space and outdoor play locations, and more independent retailers and food outlets.
Higher provision of charging points for electric automobiles will also be produced.
Practical advantages
This is not just a cosmetic physical exercise. As we all know – and as gantry indicators on motorways often remind us – tiredness kills. So if service stations can be created much more alluring, maybe a lot more of us will stop for a rest.
The DoT suggests that practically 20% of accidents on key roads are sleep connected. And incidents involving tired drivers are more most likely to result in death or significant injury than any other road accidents.
But perhaps it’s not just the dispiriting experience of visiting a typical service station that’s deterring us from taking that a lot-necessary break.
Whilst they have to by law provide free parking of at least 2 hours, the cost of staying longer than the legal minimum can be prohibitive.
The charges vary according to the service station operator and the location, but are usually about £12 for a car and £20 for a lorry or caravan. That’s fairly a costly nap.
We’re told the charges are clearly displayed, although I’ve by no means noticed a single sign in any of the a lot of service stations I have visited up and down the nation.
Risky business
David Davies, MP for Monmouth and a former lorry driver, thinks the costs could encourage drivers to take dangers and wants the government to modify its policy and force stations to provide cost-free parking for longer.
Or, as he puts it: “It is undesirable sufficient that motorists pay over the odds to buy a coffee or snack at a service station with out the be concerned of paying vast charges for taking forty winks. This is profiteering plain and straightforward. There is no justification whatsoever for generating a charge.”
Davies has the backing of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and study, is similarly outspoken. He says: “Service locations are meant to be about safety and taking a break on a lengthy boring journey. All too frequently these days they are much more about promoting items at inflated rates to a captive audience.
“The 2-hour parking rule leaves a lot of drivers confused and worried that they may possibly inadvertently go more than the time limit if they cease for a break, which is not a good recipe for safer motoring.”
Candid cameras
Service station operators monitor automobiles coming in and out with automatic plate recognition cameras positioned at entrances and exits. Motorists who remain longer than 2 hours and do not spend the right fee are typically sent a parking charge notice for as considerably as £100.
If you believe the charge is unfair, you can appeal. Specifics of the appeal procedure need to accompany the notice, or you can look on the firm’s website. You may possibly, for instance, have broken down or been held up by negative weather.
If the operator is a member of the Authorized Operator Scheme run by the British Parking Association (BPA), you will also have access to the independent Parking on Private Land Appeals (Popla).
Penalty choice
A parking charge notice issued by a private company does not have the exact same legal clout as a penalty charge notice or a fixed penalty notice issued by the nearby council or the police.
Some motorists therefore ignore charge notices, but it’s risky simply because the company could take you to court to recover the funds.
Motorway services stations: time for change?
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