Motorway services stations: time for change?

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?

Motorway services stations: time for modify?

Motorway solutions stations. A lot of of us would consider them a needed evil, what with their higher pump rates, soulless meals ‘courts’ and banks of income-guzzling arcade games.

But the government desires perceptions to adjust. The Division for Transport is appointing a panel of professionals – architects, motoring organisations and representatives of service station owners – to devise methods to make service stations a lot more appealing.

Among the measures becoming regarded as are improved structural style, enhanced green space and outdoor play areas, and a lot more independent retailers and meals outlets.

Greater provision of charging points for electric automobiles will also be produced.

Sensible rewards

This is not just a cosmetic physical exercise. As we all know – and as gantry indicators on motorways routinely remind us – tiredness kills. So if service stations can be created far more alluring, probably far more of us will stop for a rest.

The DoT suggests that virtually 20% of accidents on major roads are sleep connected. And incidents involving tired drivers are a lot more likely to lead to death or significant injury than any other road accidents.

But perhaps it’s not just the dispiriting expertise of going to a common service station that is deterring us from taking that considerably-needed break.

Although they have to by law offer cost-free parking of at least 2 hours, the cost of staying longer than the legal minimum can be prohibitive.

The charges differ according to the service station operator and the location, but are generally about £12 for a auto and £20 for a lorry or caravan. That’s fairly a pricey nap.

We’re told the charges are clearly displayed, even though I’ve never ever noticed a single sign in any of the many service stations I have visited up and down the nation.

Risky organization

David Davies, MP for Monmouth and a former lorry driver, thinks the fees could encourage drivers to take risks and wants the government to modify its policy and force stations to offer totally free parking for longer.

Or, as he puts it: “It is bad adequate that motorists spend more than the odds to purchase a coffee or snack at a service station without the be concerned of paying vast charges for taking forty winks. This is profiteering plain and basic. There is no justification whatsoever for generating a charge.”

Davies has the backing of the Institute of Sophisticated Motorists (IAM). Neil Greig, IAM director of policy and investigation, is similarly outspoken. He says: “Service areas are meant to be about security and taking a break on a long boring journey. All too often these days they are a lot more about selling factors at inflated costs to a captive audience.

“The 2-hour parking rule leaves several drivers confused and worried that they could inadvertently go over the time limit if they quit for a break, which is not a good recipe for safer motoring.”

Candid cameras

Service station operators monitor cars coming in and out with automatic plate recognition cameras positioned at entrances and exits. Motorists who keep longer than 2 hours and don’t spend the appropriate charge are normally sent a parking charge notice for as a lot as £100.

If you think the charge is unfair, you can appeal. Details of the appeal process need to accompany the notice, or you can look on the firm’s internet site. You might, for instance, have broken down or been held up by poor climate.

If the operator is a member of the Approved Operator Scheme run by the British Parking Association (BPA), you will also have access to the independent Parking on Private Land Appeals (Popla).

Penalty selection

A parking charge notice issued by a private company does not have the very same legal clout as a penalty charge notice or a fixed penalty notice issued by the regional council or the police.

Some motorists as a result ignore charge notices, but it’s risky due to the fact the company could take you to court to recover the income.

Motorway services stations: time for modify?

Motorway services stations: time for change?

Motorway solutions stations. Several of us would contemplate them a needed evil, what with their high pump costs, soulless food ‘courts’ and banks of funds-guzzling arcade games.

But the government desires perceptions to change. The Department for Transport is appointing a panel of professionals – architects, motoring organisations and representatives of service station owners – to devise ways to make service stations more attractive.

Among the measures being regarded are improved structural design and style, improved green space and outdoor play locations, and more independent retailers and food outlets.

Greater provision of charging points for electric cars will also be created.

Practical benefits

This is not just a cosmetic physical exercise. As we all know – and as gantry indicators on motorways routinely remind us – tiredness kills. So if service stations can be made far more alluring, probably a lot more of us will cease for a rest.

The DoT suggests that virtually 20% of accidents on key roads are sleep connected. And incidents involving tired drivers are far more probably to lead to death or significant injury than any other road accidents.

But perhaps it is not just the dispiriting encounter of going to a typical service station that’s deterring us from taking that significantly-needed break.

Whilst they need to by law offer you free parking of at least 2 hours, the price of staying longer than the legal minimum can be prohibitive.

The charges differ according to the service station operator and the place, but are generally about £12 for a automobile and £20 for a lorry or caravan. That is very a expensive nap.

We’re told the charges are clearly displayed, even though I’ve never ever noticed a single sign in any of the a lot of service stations I have visited up and down the country.

Risky enterprise

David Davies, MP for Monmouth and a former lorry driver, thinks the costs could encourage drivers to take dangers and desires the government to modify its policy and force stations to offer you cost-free parking for longer.

Or, as he puts it: “It is poor sufficient that motorists spend over the odds to get a coffee or snack at a service station without having the worry 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 investigation, is similarly outspoken. He says: “Service places are meant to be about security and taking a break on a extended boring journey. All as well typically these days they are a lot more about selling issues at inflated costs to a captive audience.

“The 2-hour parking rule leaves several drivers confused and worried that they could inadvertently go over the time limit if they cease for a break, which is not a great 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 stay longer than 2 hours and do not spend the right fee are normally sent a parking charge notice for as much as £100.

If you consider the charge is unfair, you can appeal. Particulars of the appeal procedure must accompany the notice, or you can appear on the firm’s web site. You may possibly, for instance, have broken down or been held up by bad 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 selection

A parking charge notice issued by a private company does not have the identical legal clout as a penalty charge notice or a fixed penalty notice issued by the local council or the police.

Some motorists therefore ignore charge notices, but it’s risky because the business could take you to court to recover the money.

Motorway services stations: time for change?

The SAICB Signs MoU with Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) to curb cross border vehicle crime

Cross border vehicle crime is a serious problem affecting both the public and privatised sectors. As one of our key focus areas for 2015, the SAICB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) in an effort to reduce cross border vehicle crime, fraud and corruption between South Africa and Lesotho.

The agreement is set to help us leverage existing shared data to detect patterns related to borderline crossings, identify and communicate the modus operandi of syndicates and assist with the successful location of stolen vehicles in possession of the LMPS.

Objectives of the MoU:

• To enhance the sharing of information between the SAICB and other fraud and crime prevention bodies
• To identify and effectively implement joint preventative and combating approaches aimed at reducing opportunities for vehicle related fraud, crime and corruption
• To establish and implement appropriate governance structures and mechanisms
• To improve communications with respect to crime information to all stakeholders

While we cannot divulge some of the particulars outlined in the MoU at this time, we are in the process of identifying key operations that will form part of this initiative.

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The SAICB Signs MoU with Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) to curb cross border vehicle crime