This May bank holiday weekend is expected to be the busiest on the roads for years.
And after months of driving less than we usually would – people are likely to get tired.
So if you’re heading down south to Devon or up north to Birmingham this weekend, you might be tempted to stop at your favourite service station.
But you don’t want to be caught short without knowing what the rules and regulations are in the prospective places when it comes to visiting post-lockdown.
To make sure there’s no chance for confusion when you stop for a nice break, we’ve put together a list of all the service stations between Birmingham and Exeter on the M5 – and what each station has in place to ensure your utmost safety.
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Frankley – M5 between J3 and J4 – Moto
Frankley Services
(Image: Sunday Mercury)
Neatly playing down its associations with one of the country’s busiest motorways by overlooking the rolling hills of Worcestershire are two of the oldest buildings on the network. It won’t win any awards for architecture, but it has a job and it does it.
Brands available at this site include: Costa, Burger King , WH Smith , Greggs and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Click here for updated opening hours.
Parking is free for the first two hours for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £27.50. HGVs can pay £29.50 to include a £10 food voucher.
On ‘moto-way.com’ Frankley reads: “In response to COVID-19, we’ve adapted our sites for your comfort, safety and convenience, introducing contactless payment, social distancing and rigorous cleaning regimes. If you’re visiting Frankley Northbound services soon then please note the following:
“Test and Trace – if you wish to use the seating area then you will need to log your visit.
“Order and collect – You can now use our Order & Collect service at Frankley Northbound to have your order ready and waiting for you.
“Face masks – In line with government guidance, you’ll need to wear a face mask when entering the main building and forecourt.”
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Strensham – M5 between J7 and J8 – Roadchef
GV of Strensham Services on the M5 northbound carriage way near Worcester
(Image: BPM)
Compared to other services on the road, Strensham sees less of a seasonal spike and is just busy all year round – good job all the old parts are gone and buried and two newer buildings are doing the job instead. Honestly, you should have seen what was there before.
Catering (on both sides): Chozen Noodle, Costa, Fresh Food Cafe, McDonald’s, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, Skwishee Iced Drinks, Costa Drive-Thru, and southbound only: Leon, The Cornish Bakery, Dolcetti Ice Cream.
Shops include: Cotton Traders, Spar and WH Smith. Southbound also has a Phone Tech and Prezzybox.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £12 and HGVs, caravans and coaches £29, or £31 to include a £10 food voucher.
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Gloucester – M5 between J11A and J12 – Westmorland
The attractive grounds of Gloucester Services on the north bound M5 motorway, Gloucestershire
(Image: Alamy Stock Photo)
The M5’s newest service area is 2021’s most well reviewed. With its farm shop and butchers counter it has developed its own cult fan club. The owners work with a local charity, the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, to run the site and support the local area.
Catering: Cafe, Outdoor Kitchen and Quick Kitchen.
Shops (both sides): Farm Shop, Butchers Counter, Cheese Counter, and southbound only: Fishmonger.
Parking: First three hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £12 and caravans, motorhomes and HGVs must pay £23 to include a £5 food voucher.
Prices can be paid for at any unit in the main building or filling station, with instructions in each car park.
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Michaelwood – M5 between J13 and J14 – Welcome Break
Two services staggered along the M5 in a small strip of woodland which were once connected by a pedestrian footbridge.
Catering: Burger King, KFC, Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks on the Go.
Shops: Waitrose and Partners and WH Smith.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 for a further 24 hours and HGVs, caravans and coaches must pay £28 (or £30 to include a £10 meal voucher).
Prices can be paid in the shop, with instructions in each car park.
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Gordano – M5 at J19 – Welcome Break
General view of Gordano service station in Bristol
(Image: SWNS.com)
Busy services located at a busy junction. Like all M5 services it struggles under the summer holiday pressure, but its large building and surroundings means it copes fairly well – until you try to get back on to the roundabout.
Catering: Burger King, KFC, Starbucks, The Good Breakfast, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks on the Go, Tango Ice Blast and Starbucks Drive Thru.
Shops: Waitrose and Partners and WH Smith.
Parking: 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 for a further 24 hours and HGVs, caravans and coaches must pay £29 (or £31 to include a £10 meal voucher).
Prices can be paid in the shop and forecourt, with instructions in each car park.
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Sedgemoor (North) – M5 northbound between J21 and J22 – Welcome Break
(Image: Google Maps)
Welcome Break’s half of the split services, for northbound traffic, with Roadchef operating the other half.
Catering: Burger King, Starbucks, Subway, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks on the Go and Yorkshire Tea.
Shop: WH Smith.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 for a further 24 hours and HGVs, caravans and coaches must pay £27 (or £29 include a £10 meal voucher).
Prices can be paid in the shop and restaurant, with instructions in each car park.
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Sedgemoor (South) – M5 southbound between J21 and J22 – Roadchef
Roadchef’s half of the split services, for southbound traffic. The service area is a bit more modern than its northbound counterpart, and it’s bigger too.
Catering: Chozen Noodle, Costa, Fresh Food Café, McDonald’s, The Cornish Bakery, Costa Express, Dolcetti Ice Cream, Krispy Kreme, Costa Drive Thru.
Shops: WH Smith (both sides), Spar (southbound only).
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £12 and HGVs, caravans and coaches £26, or £28 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid using PayByPhone – more details or in the shop. The location code is 5268.
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Bridgwater – M5 at J24 – Moto
The M5 service station at Bridgwater has been named the worst in Britain by consumers
(Image: Google)
The strange place that is Bridgwater: officially a motorway service area, but packed into Huntworth Business Park, with a tiny multi-storey car park and no grass to be found.
Catering: Burger King, Costa, Greggs, Costa Express and Krispy Kreme.
Shops: M&S Simply Food and WH Smith.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £26. HGVs can pay £28 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid using PayByPhone – more details. The location code is 2429.
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Taunton Deane – M5 between J25 and J26 – Roadchef
Catering on both sides: Costa, McDonald’s, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme, Costa Drive Thru plus northbound only, The Cornish Bakery
and southbound only, Chozen Noodle and the Fresh Food Café.
Shop: WH Smith.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £12 and HGVs, caravans and coaches £26, or £28 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid using PayByPhone – more details or in the shop. The location code is 5270 (northbound) and 5271 (southbound).
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Tiverton – M5 at J27 – Moto
A very small service area, designed for traffic on the A38. It is not signed from the M5 but it is directly accessible from J27.
There is no parking for HGVs at the services.
Catering: Burger King and Costa.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £6. Season ticket parking is available. There is no HGV parking at the services.
Prices are paid in the restaurant or using PayByPhone – more details. The location code is 2468
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Cullompton – M5 at J28 – Extra
Cullompton is a small service area signed only from the northbound side. Southbound traffic can access it from J28 just like northbound but there are no signs.
Catering: Costa, McDonald’s, Warren’s Bakery and Nescafe Alegria.
Shop: WH Smith.
Parking: First three hours free for all vehicles, after which you must pay £28 per 24 hour period.
Prices can be paid at the machines in each parking area, and can be paid in Sterling or Euro, and by card, cash, fuel card or SNAP.
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Exeter – M5 at J30 – Moto
The last services on the M5 (located just before the road splits into two routes across Devon), Exeter sits in an industrial estate off one of the M5’s large roundabouts.
Catering: Burger King, Chow, Costa, Greggs, West Cornwall Pasty Co, Costa Express and Krispy Kreme.
Shops: M&S Simply Food and WHSmith.
Parking: First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £26.50. HGVs can pay £28.50 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid using PayByPhone – more details. The location code is 2436.
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Moto services rules
The following are the new rules in place following coronavirus restrictions at all Moto services – they are as written by Moto.
“Across the motorway network, all Moto sites remain open 24/7 for toilets, showers and refreshments.
“All of our sites are also still proudly serving your favourite brands. However, there have been some changes made to adhere to the latest guidelines and keep you safe, so for the time being, things will be a little bit different.
Showers and toilets are open at all sites 24 hours a day. Forecourts are open with fuel available at all sites 24 hours a day. Food and drink is available at all sites 24 hours a day. The opening hours of some of our brands have changed. For more information on this, please click here. Face coverings are compulsory at all Moto locations, unless exempt. This is for both Moto colleagues and customers. Read more on this here. Logging your visit via Test and Trace is compulsory at all Moto locations. You can log your visit here. Alternatively, you can log your visit using the official NHS Covid-19 Test and Trace app, which you can download from your chosen app store, for free. Our internal and external seating areas are open with tables set a safe distance apart of 2m or more. (England only) Social distancing and increased hygiene measures are in place on our sites. We are monitoring the number of people we have on-site at any one time and employing one way systems for entry and exit to control the flow of people inside. We are encouraging the use of contactless/card payments across all brands. We have introduced Order & Collect for a number of our brands so that you can have your order ready and waiting for you at your Moto location to minimise your time on site.
“Motorway Services Areas have a legal exemption that allows us to continue to provide indoor seating for travellers under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (No.4) Regulations 2020.
“Part 4 of the regulations details the restrictions on the service of food and drink and allows for the MSA exemption at regulation 15, paragraph 5 (b).
“This exemption enables us to fulfil the legal obligations placed on us by the Department for Transport to provide travellers with the opportunity to rest and safely take a break during their journeys ; and also to enable HGV drivers to take their statutory breaks. The exemption has been agreed between the Department for Transport and the Health & Safety Executive and we are following all the applicable safety advice.
“To ensure a Covid Secure environment we’ve worked with our Primary Health Authority and introduced a range of safety measures to ensure social distancing to protect both colleagues and customers against the risk of coronavirus including the introduction of 3m spacing between tables, on a number of our sites we have invested in Perspex screens in-between tables and at all points of sale; we require all customers and Moto colleagues to wear a face covering whilst on our sites, unless exempt. We have hand sanitiser stations available throughout the amenity buildings, we’ve introduced table cleaners and are only using takeaway packaging.”
Click here for more Moto coronavirus safety measures information.
Roadchef services rules
The following are the new rules in place following coronavirus restrictions at all Roadchef services – they are as written by Roadchef.
“We recognise that our customers may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus in the UK and wanted to keep you up to date with what we’re doing in response, to help you to stay safe when using the motorway network.
“At Roadchef, we take the health and wellbeing of all of our customers and employees extremely seriously and at this time we have implemented a number of measures to help keep you safe when you need to take a break from your journey.
“Our Sites may look a little different at this challenging time, but we kindly request your patience and understanding and ask that you help us maintain social distancing practices and adhere to the advice and guidance on regular hand washing.”
Some of the key measures:
Limits on the number of customers allowed in buildings at any one time. One-way systems and clear signage to encourage social distancing. Protective screens at service counters in retail and catering units. Increased cleaning and sanitising of surfaces and key contact points. Provision of hand sanitiser for customers and team members, and hand wash facilities.
Face Coverings
Customers are required to wear a face covering when visiting service areas and these are available to purchase at all sites, in vending machines and retail stores.
Roadchef write: “We understand that some customers may not be able to wear a face covering for medical reasons and our teams are aware of this – everyone is welcome at Roadchef and we will not deny entry to anyone who is unable to wear a face covering for medical reasons.
“We also know that some customers may feel more comfortable showing our team members something that says they do not have to wear a face covering when entering one of our service areas. Whilst this is by no means necessary, there are tools that can be downloaded from the UK Government website here.”
Track and Trace is also in place at all Roadchef services.
Click here for more Roadchef coronavirus safety measures information.
Westmorland services rules (Gloucestershire)
Gloucester Services is open. In accordance with new national COVID-19 restrictions, they continue to provide fuel, services, rest and refreshment for drivers who need to travel.
The Quick Kitchen is open from 7am to 10pm, serving hot and cold food to take away. The 24-hour Filling Station is stocked with handmade sausage rolls, hot pies and freshly made sandwiches.
The Farmshop continues to sell fresh food and groceries, including meat, cheese, deli items and handmade produce from small independent and local businesses.
Colleagues will give you a warm welcome whenever you need to stop. They are doing everything they can to make you feel safe.
Quick Kitchen: 7am – 10pm Farmshop: 7am – 9pm Kitchen: 7.30am – 7pm – open for both eat in and takeaway Butcher’s Counter: 9am – 5pm Fishmonger: Wednesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm Free cash machine: 7am – 10pm in Main Building Toilets & Showers: 7am – 10pm in Main Building everyday and 24/7 in Filling Station Changing Places Toilet & Shower (Southbound only): 7am – 10pm in Main Building everyday Free showers: 7am – 10pm in Main Building everyday and 24/7 in Filling Station
Play areas are closed but there is a small kitchen with a microwave available for warming up baby food.
Click here for more Wesmorland coronavirus safety measures information.
Welcome Break services rules
On the Welcome Break website it reads: “As an essential service for the nation’s motorists, our sites remain open. This includes fuel, washrooms, retail outlets and a number of our food and coffee brands, all with safe distancing measures in place for the protection of our customers and teams.
“The majority of our seating areas are open, in line with guidelines issued for Motorway Service Areas. For details on our opening times, brands and facilities, please visit our Opening Times page.
“All of our washrooms remain open, with safe distancing measures in place. Some facilities will be restricted to support this.
“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our number one priority.”
What measures will be in place?
Two metres apart signage Directional signage throughout the building Hand washing facilities and sanitiser stations are availible Contactless payments preferred Face masks required People asked to stay within households or support bubble Track and Trace
There will also be enhanced cleaning measures which seek to disinfect high-frequency touch points, such as service counter, door handles, flush handles and taps.
There are new hygiene screens at many service counters to help physical separate customers from team members.
Click here for more Welcome Break coronavirus safety measures information.
Extra services rules
On the Extra website it reads: “At Extra Motorway Service Areas we’re going the extra mile to make sure your visit is safe, so you might notice some changes when you visit.
“All our service areas have designated entrances and exits to help ensure you can keep your distance from other customers.
“We may have to limit numbers of people entering our buildings during peak times for a short while, please bear with us.”
Face coverings are mandatory now
Wearing a face covering is mandatory in all amenity buildings, drive thru’s and fuel filling stations.
You may remove your face covering whilst dining in, in any of our brand outlets and food court seating areas.
Children under the age of 11 are exempt and there may be other exemption reasons within government guidelines .
Test and Trace is in place too.
What else is there to be aware of?
Toilets and washrooms are open 24 – 7. ATMs available at each location.
Indoor seating is permitted in law and available for dining in.
Parking facilities are open 24 – 7.
Outdoor seating and play areas are open.
EV charging available 24-7 all locations.
All fuel filling stations open 24-7
Covid testing
The Department for Transport are temporarily offering tests to commercial drivers and crews of HGVs, LGV and vans, at the Baldock, Beaconsfield, Cambridge, Cobham, Cullompton and Peterborough sites. Follow the link for more information.
Click here for more Extra coronavirus safety measures information.
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Source: www.somersetlive.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-29 18:48:22
