REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY INTO MOTORWAY SERVICE AREAS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR PRICES AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

The committee was set up to investigate the extent that present facilities met the needs of motorway users, especially in terms of price and quality; and what other provisions should be made for the convenience of travellers. The committee found that the widely held view, that food was more expensive and of poorer quality, in motorway cafes than elsewhere, was unfounded. It also found that although in general the operators did not make excessive profits, there was no justification for the higher petrol prices on motorways. It was felt that operators should notify their petrol prices on the motorway. The government was thought to charge too much rent, and the breakdown and repair services were not satisfactory. Comparisons were made with continental services. The committee recommends that a new motorway service area board is established to control setting up and running of service areas. Existing contracts should be re-negotiated towards consistent terms, and operators should be allowed to lease adjacent sites. Criteria for the selection of new sites should be revised. A motorway rescue breakdown organisation should be set up. Banks and bureaux de change should be allowed on site. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Her Majesty's Stationery Office

  Atlantic Ho, Holborn Viaduct
  London EC1P 1BN,   England 
• Publication Date: 1978

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 25 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Contracts; Costs; Disasters and emergency operations; Economic efficiency; Evaluation and assessment; Expressways; Facilities; Food; Freeways; Fuels; Gasoline; Governments; Hazards and emergency operations; Leasing; Public service; Roadside rest areas; Service agencies; Service stations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• ITRD Terms: 224: Cost; 5911: Efficiency; 9020: Evaluation (assessment); 2053: Food; 3850: Fuel; 2752: Motorway; 971: Service area; 391: Services (public)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Design; Economics; Energy; Environment; Finance; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Society; Terminals and Facilities; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00316935
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Report/Paper Numbers: Monograph
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 6 1981 12:00AM