Issue 153

At the services

26th February 2007

If you close your eyes for ten seconds while driving at 70 miles per hour, you cover nearly a quarter of a mile of ground. That's why we are reminded almost every day that driving while tired is dangerous, and it is vital that we make time for a stop at least every two hours.

However, it is easy to be put off by the delay of stopping, only to rejoin the gridlocked carriageway in rush hour, wishing you had just kept going. But these days motorway services offer a diverse range of attractions, so we tested the motorway services at Porth Abraham at junction 47 on the M4.

Walking in, you are greeted with the usual coffee shops, toilets etc. But this truly is different. The Costa shares its area with an "I Love Wales" shop which sort of contradicts the alternative culture theme of the Italian coffee shop.

However, it does not have much to offer in the form of entertainment. That could be because it is in rather a remote place right at the end of the M4, and therefore it is unlikely that many people use it as much as its neighbour at J47, Swansea services.

So don't be put off. Driving doesn't have to all be about monotony, both on or off the road. And if that's not enough, the Brecon Beacons are just a stone's throw away.

There is a website with all the best and worst motorway services with comments from their users. Visit: http://www.motorwayservices.info

Becky Lewis