Which? survey: Scottish motorway service station ranks in top three across UK

Motorists have ranked a Scottish motorway service station among the top three in the UK, according to a new survey.

Cairn Lodge, on the M74 in Lanarkshire, came third out of 70 in a Which? poll of more than 2,700 of its members.

Respondents rated the service stations on various criteria, including range of facilities, prices, and ease of social distancing.

Gloucester received the top score of 86 per cent, scoring five stars for cleanliness, range and quality of its shops and food outlets, as well as its range of facilities.

Cairn Lodge, on the M74 in Lanarkshire, came third out of 70 in a Which? poll of more than 2,700 of its members.

Tebay, which came second, received similar praise, with a score of 83 per cent and plaudits for the freshly prepared food on offer in the restaurant and for sale in the farm shop, while Cairn Lodge was given a score of 69 per cent.

Rory Boland, editor of magazine Which? Travel, said: “The results of our survey show that it pays to plan ahead to avoid some of the UK’s worst motorway services.

“It could be the difference between a home-cooked meal in peaceful surroundings, or crowded queues in downright dirty facilities.

He added: “Whether you’re zipping down the M5 towards the beaches on the south-west coast, or up the M6 towards the Scottish border, make sure your journey isn’t spoiled by a stop at a shoddy service station.”

Meanwhile, Bridgwater services on the M5 in Somerset was ranked as the worst in the UK by Which? Members, who awarded it just one star out of five for all categories.

The Moto-owned site received an overall customer score of just 32 per cent.

Recent visitors described the venue as “dirty” and “depressing”, and others complained of a urine smell and toilet paper strewn on the floor.

Another claimed it “should be demolished”.

Bridgwater’s location means it is often used by tourists heading to and from Cornwall and Devon.

Moto CEO Ken McMeikan said: “I am appalled by the score at our Bridgwater site.

“I can absolutely guarantee that all of the issues raised will be dealt with immediately to ensure we get Bridgwater back to the standard we know our customers expect and deserve.”

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