On this day 5 years ago (2020): the first GRIDSERVE electric forecourt opened at Braintree. Dubbed the 'forecourt of the future', it was laid out like a petrol station, but with charging points powered by on-site energy generation

Used to think the longest thing in the world was the walk to the toilets at Rugby services, but after watching the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw I'm not so sure.

On this day 67 years ago (1958): the M6 Preston Bypass opened. Once the solution to a major bottleneck, Britain's first motorway remained busy and has since been extensively rebuilt, now forming a key part of the national motorway network. Picture credit: roads.org.uk

It appears that EG Group are installing these signs at all of their sites, seemingly without LHA approval given the flag signs are wrong sized, and placed well before a turn, and do not meet the requirements for non-motorway service area facility signs. @motorwayservices.uk Have you spotted any?

On this day 20 years ago (2005): the M42's Active Traffic Management was switched on. The hard shoulder running scheme, which relied on extensive CCTV coverage, staff management and maintenance to ensure it always failed safe.

On this day 65 years ago (1960): the M50 Ross Spur motorway opened, a crucial part of cutting the corner between the Midlands and South Wales, but ultimately not one of our core routes - meaning it still retains some of its sharp junctions and narrow bridges. Picture credit: roads.org.uk

On this day 30 years ago (1995): Granada outlined the terms of their hostile Forte takeover

Moto begins removing West Cornwall Pasty Co. units from service stations

A lot of online newspapers are running a Christmas story about the best service station. It's based largely on our data with little attribution. So you can see the actual list of your top-rated service stations here:

Christmas advert idea. You stop driving because the weather is bad. Then you get snowed in at a service station. But it's OK because it's Beaconsfield services and there's actually loads to do.

We don't use Cloudflare, so while the internet is offline, why not read about service stations?

Our 2026 calendar is now available to purchase. With 12 stunning images of Scotland’s roads from the 1930s to the 1990s! 🥳 Order here: www.scottishroadsarchive.org/online-store...

When asked what colour they think signs for A-road services are, the majority of drivers said "green". Do you know why they're wrong?

We've added 22 more A-road service areas to our ratings database. See if your favourite (or least favourite) is waiting to be rated:

As well as being nearly 2 years out of date and wrong, an article in today's Daily Express makes the bizarre claim that the UK hasn't opened any other service stations since 2005.

William Woollard at Gordano services - anyone know where the rest of this episode can be found?

Well, we promised a follow-up for #MapMonday to the fascinating London Ringways #Map for another major city in Great Britain, so here it is... The Greater Glasgow Transportation Study from 1968.

Earlier this week I spoke to London Centric about the Ringways Map and all things unbuilt London - they’ve dedicated the whole of their latest edition to the story! substack.com/home/post/p-...

Media reports that the planned Brentwood services is "on hold" are true but misleading. Anybody who wants to interfere with a motorway has to pass safety checks. Otherwise we'd all build our own junction. NH say this work is "progressing well". Hurdles are the reason most MSAs are on roundabouts.

German Doner Kebab to expand to 5 motorway locations

🇮🇪 Queues expected as Taco Bell prepares to open at Lusk services

New: What was your favourite stop-off like in 1990? We've recorded all the results from Egon Ronay's guide

I think every website which researches facts is saying the same thing

Infrastructure planning is bonkers, episode 33: The new Basingstoke services will be legally only accessible to motorists, despite having a large source of potential employees just 380 metres away from the building and the route by road being much longer (and congested).

GRIDSERVE starts construction on two 'Electric Freightway' service station eHGV charging

London's Ringways are a whole network of unbuilt urban motorways threaded through the capital. There's never been a complete map of them,not even one made by their designers, until now. Today we're publishing the Ringways Map from @roads.org.uk to let you see in the city that London nearly became.

New! After eight years of waiting, they're online! See London's unbuilt motorways as even their planners never could in our amazing, immersive Ringways Map, hosted by the amazing SABRE Maps. It *might* be the best thing we've ever done. #ringways

Consistently our lowest-rated motorway service area and constantly threatened by a rival opening up next door: just what is going wrong at Bridgwater?

As evidence of Granada Roadside falls into history, it's quite impressive that this 30 year-old circle sign hasn't been hit by a vehicle. (Unlike the flag sign which is lying flat on the ground.) You can read a lot more about Granada and circles here: motorwayservices.uk/Internal_Signs

Incredible advert for Little Chef Whittington in 1972

National Highways - who make mistakes on around 50% of the direction signs they install - have published a map of what the signposting in Rugby services should look like (their words: "it's essential")... and it's far better than what's there.

Circle K Athlone and Applegreen Midway are in the running for 'Best Foodvenience Store In The World', a title which has previously been won by Rathcoole

EG Group, the former service station mega-operator which was highly praised by politicians, is at the top of the list of UK companies who failed to pay their staff the minimum wage

Regulations are always a little slow to catch on, but the Department for Transport is now allowing some "service stations with no fuel" to be officially signposted the same as "services"

*Thunderbirds theme intensifies*

National Highways begins renewing leases for the 21 motorway service areas they never sold

A27 Kingsham services to get two drive thru units

It's easy to assume being interested in service stations must mean you hate active travel. Here are 4 reasons I disagree - but sometimes you do have to hold their feet to the fire. (Context and thoughts in alt tags.)

134 eHGV bays? A look at the future for Wetherby

4th motorway German Doner Kebab branch to open

1998 was a long time ago wasn't it...

Language changes. Will the term "High Street Brand" mean anything to the youngest generation?

It has been virtually derelict for over 5 years, but it's still officially a "Services". What's left at Leicester Markfield.

BP to launch network of megawatt charging systems

🇮🇪 1 week later: Applegreen warns of "3 hour queues" as most of Meath has been to the new Dunshaughlin services

🇮🇪 Crowds turn out for opening of Dunshaughlin services

Washington services footbridge reopens after RAAC issue

Ever had 1990s petrol station nostalgia? We can help with some new old photos of Oversley Mill services

Kind-of incredible that this building has lasted 62 years without being damaged by a vehicle