Motorway Services Are Now Reopening For Business
Motorway services have remained open over the course of lockdown, but often with reduced services or partially accessible facilities. With measures now being eased, they’re opening in full…
Motorway Services Are Reopening
Motorway services have remained open over the course of the nation’s lockdown; although many have operated at a reduced capacity and with shorter opening hours. Back in March, Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, stated that he’d specifically asked them to remain open in order to support haulers and key workers using motorways. Although he did specify that they’d need to put social distancing measures in place. Now, however, an increasing number are operating as they always would. Fast-food and coffee shops have resumed serving takeaway orders, for instance.
According to Transport Focus, ‘lorry drivers delivering goods, NHS volunteers taking medical supplies around the country and others making essential journeys will still need to rest, refuel, go to the toilet and have something to eat and drink’. Perhaps more importantly, it explained that ‘without motorways open there would be very little on the supermarket shelves’.
How Are They Helping Drivers?
A number of motorway service companies have announced schemes to help drivers and key workers. Moto has been offering free meals to HGV drivers. It recently announced that it had served 10,000 of them. Roadchef doubled free parking times, from two hours to four. It also reduced its 24-hour parking rate to £15. Euro Garages has announced that NHS and emergency service workers are entitled to a free coffee.
Welcome Break is offering Blue Light & Defence discount card holders and NHS staff 50% off at WHSmith and Waitrose stores that are on its sites. John Diviney, CEO at Welcome Break, said “in these uncertain times some of us still need to be on the move. I wanted you to know that all our locations are still open, clean and continuing to serve the nation’s motorists. Please be assured we are following government guidance to keep you and all our team members safe and well”. Ultimately, then, driving on a motorway (barring reduced traffic) is now approaching something similar to what it was like pre-lockdown.
The Nation’s Best and Worst Motorway Services – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/the-nations-best-and-worst-motorway-services/
Lockdown: Motorway Services Remain Open, But With Limited Services – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/lockdown-motorway-services-remain-open-but-with-limited-services/
