Magor Services
Opened: Original owner: Granada Second Owner: First Current Owner: RoadChef Then: Trivia: Built as part of the 2nd Severn Bridge crossing plan, as the new bridge would divert the traffic away from Aust In a 2001 survey of a selection of Motorway service by the AA – Magor came first. The survey found the following plus points: * Variety and quality of meals at the second test was better than at the first * Signposting and layout inside and outside good * Good wheelchair access to service area * Telephone for disabled people available * Leisure facilities safe * Outside playground with a high fun factor * Pedestrian crossings safe * Blackboard with the day’s petrol prices displayed in the...
Full ReviewSarn Services
Opened: 1986 Original owner: Current Owner: Welcome Break Then: Trivia: For the first 5 years of its life, Sarn operated out of old army nissen huts Originally the first motorway service area on the M4 after you enter Wales from England- a long distance of 75 miles. Now two other services are en-route (Cardiff West and Magor)....
Full ReviewAust / Severn View Services
Opened: 1966 Original owner: Top Rank Current Owner: Moto Name: Became Severn View in 1991 Then: Trivia: Now no longer on the M4, since the M4 is diverted over the second Severn Bridge, opened in 1996. This stretch of Motorway is now the M48. For many, a favored stop off on the M4 because of the view it once offered The diversion of the M4 led to a decline in the MSA’s customers. It was expected that the site would close, and in advance of this, the main building which offered splendid views of the bridge and the River Severn, was closed and sold off to become offices of a technology company. The services remained open in a building...
Full ReviewLeigh Delamere Services
Opened: 1972 Original owner: Current Owner: Moto Trivia: Current: A very big MSA- and one of Moto’s largest along with Cherwell Valley, Hilton Park, Forton, and Reading. Used as a coach transfer station. Has a variety of shops, (Birthday’s cards, Luxury chocolates, mobile phone, Hairdressers, etc) so a good place to stop if you need these things. Also has a fast coffee to go shop just inside the door for those who don’t want to stop for too long. Eastbound services also has a Barber...
Full ReviewMembury Services
Opened: 1972 Original owner: Current Owner: Welcome Break Location: J14/15 Then: Trivia: You can spot this MSA a few more miles off than normal due to Membury Transmitter which is in an adjacent field. This was built by the ITA (Independent Television Authority) to relay ITV to the South Midlands until about 1985. It transmitted nothing for many years but now is used by the BBC to transmit radio, but only at a very low power, so its size is misleading! (more) Built on the site of the Membury USAF airfield, which saw action during world war II. The motorway is built through the airfield, and the old control tower is still nearby. A memorial has been constructed in...
Full Review