Motorway Services Online

Retrieved from "https://motorwayservices.uk"

Blyth: Difference between revisions

m I can't remember what signage that refers to, so better remove it
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==Facilities==
==Facilities==
{{facilities | Restaurants | {{Burger King}}, {{Costa}}, {{Greggs}}, {{Costa Express}}, {{Krispy Kreme}} }}
{{facilities| Restaurants | {{Burger King}}, {{Costa}}, {{Greggs}}, {{Costa Express}}, {{Krispy Kreme}} }}
{{facilities| Shops | {{M&S Simply Food}}, {{WHSmith}} }}
{{facilities| Shops | {{M&S Simply Food}}, {{WHSmith}} }}
{{facilities| Amenities | [[&Play]], [[Full Hou$e]], Showers }}
{{facilities| Amenities | {{Travelodge}}, [[&Play]], [[Full Hou$e]], Showers }}
{{facilities| Hotel | {{Travelodge||115/Blyth-A1-M}} }}
{{facilities| Outdoor | Grass space behind hotel }}
{{charging points| GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS & CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 }}
{{facilities| Charging | GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS & CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Esso}}, {{Spar}}, {{Starbucks on the Go}}, AdBlue4You, Free Cash Machine }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{Esso}}, {{Spar}}, {{Starbucks on the Go}}, AdBlue4You, Free Cash Machine }}


Line 51: Line 51:
|size = 250
|size = 250
|duped = yes
|duped = yes
|caption = The old entrance still had signs.
|caption = Road signs welcoming visitors to the closed, old service area entrance, pictured in 2008.
|keydates = {{Key Date | 1988 | Opened by [[Granada]] }}
|keydates = {{Key Date | 1988 | Opened by [[Granada]] }}
{{Key Date | 2001 | Re-branded Moto }} }}
{{Key Date | 2001 | Re-branded Moto }} }}
The site was privately developed by Granada and Esso, as an easy way to increase their presence without needing to tackle all the regulations that come with building a new motorway site. It was positioned two miles north of [[Spital|a small service area]] owned by their arch-rival, Forte. It was planned quickly, and opened in early 1988.
This service area was privately developed by Granada and Esso as an A-road service area. This made it an easy way to increase their presence without needing to tackle all the regulations that come with building a new motorway site. It was positioned two miles north of [[Spital|a small service area]] owned by their arch-rival, Forte. Blyth was planned quickly, and opened in early 1988.


As a result of its small scale, it used their standard back-up design with a cross shape. This turned out to become much busier than expected, so when Burger King was added it was placed in the very middle of the building, rather than interrupting the small restaurant area.
The 16 acres of land had previously been identified for use as a shopping centre.


The 16 acres of land had previously been identified for use as a shopping centre.
As a result of its small scale, Blyth used their standard back-up design with a cross shape. This turned out to become much busier than expected, so when Burger King was added it was placed in the very middle of the building, rather than interrupting the small restaurant area.


Before the extension, the current position of Costa, Greggs and shared seating area was an [[EDC]] restaurant and [[Caffè Ritazza]] coffee shop. The services also featured an "EDC Express" van outside. Before removal, there was also a children's play area.
The restaurant and coffee area followed Granada and then Moto's brand names changes, becoming [[EDC]] and [[Caffè Ritazza]]. An "EDC Express" van would be parked outside to manage queues. The restaurants then became [[Costa]], [[Greggs]] and a shared seating area.


A 2011 extension saw the site gain a M&S Simply Food store and lose the large restaurant windows. New Tesla charging points are now under construction here.
A 2011 extension saw the site gain a [[M&S Simply Food]] store and lose the large restaurant windows. An outdoor children's play area was removed.


The forecourt was operated directly by Esso with a Snack & Shop store and [[Coffee Nation]] offering here until 2015 when it was sold to [[Euro Garages]]. Euro Garages rebranded the store to SPAR, added a Starbucks on the Go machine and added a Subway offering. In late 2020 and following an unsuccessful post-coronavirus lockdown reopening, the Subway unit closed and was removed from the entrance signs. Despite the closure, the unit remained fully furnished for some time after.
As a result of the original partnership, the forecourt was operated directly by Esso, who fitted it with a Snack & Shop store and [[Coffee Nation]] offering. It was sold to [[Euro Garages]] in 2015. Euro Garages rebranded the store to [[SPAR]], added a Starbucks on the Go machine and a Subway offering. The Subway unit closed  in late 2020 but, despite the closure, the unit remained fully furnished for some time after.


===Junction Changes===
===Junction Changes===
Until 2007 Blyth was situated on the A1 southbound, but thanks to a roundabout with the A614 being just north of it and a loop road linking the services to the A614, it was accessible to traffic on both sides of the carriageway.
When it was built, Blyth was accessed from the main southbound carriageway of the A1. The Hilltop Roundabout allowed northbound traffic to turn around, access the service area, and then all traffic followed the exit back to the A614.


Roadworks have since replaced the roundabout with a flyover. The loop road's connection to the A1 has been closed (later an overflow car park) and the old exit has become two-way.
The roundabout was replaced with a flyover in 2008. As a result of the new alignment, the direct access from the A1 was removed and the existing exit road was made two-way. The old entry to the HGV parking area was turned into a turning circle. It was some time before all the signage was updated to reflect the new road layout.


Although new road signs were erected to provide the new directions to the services from the A1(M), as of 2014 many of the old signs still haven't been removed, offering a lot of signage and wildly inaccurate directions to the exit required.
Moving the entrance and the resultant tree planting left Blyth with a lot of green space. The old roadway was then turned into an overflow car park in around 2013.


===Rival Facilities===
===Rival Facilities===
Opposite the service area is the site of what was the Hilltop Café. It had a long, glass dining room and a small, American-style tower in the middle. It was ran by [[Blue Star]] and had direct access from the A1 northbound. The owner had requested a gap in the barrier so southbound traffic could access it, but this request was refused. The café closed in late 1985
Some people remember the Hilltop Roundabout for the Hilltop Café, which was positioned opposite where Blyth services was built. It had a long, glass dining room and a small, American-style tower in the middle. It was ran by [[Blue Star]] and had direct access from the A1 northbound. The café closed in late 1985.


In June 2019, [[EG Group]] opened a [[KFC Drive Thru]] and [[Starbucks Drive Thru]] on the other side of the roundabout. These facilities are unsigned and are competitors to the signed [[Moto]] facilities.
In June 2019, [[EG Group]] opened a [[KFC Drive Thru]] and [[Starbucks Drive Thru]] on the other side of the Hilltop Roundabout. These facilities are not signposted from any main road but still act as competitors to the signed Moto facilities.


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==

Revision as of 21:47, 24 July 2022

Location:

A1(M) at J34
(also accessible to traffic on the A1, A614 and the B6045)

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

S81 8HG

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Single site located at a junction..

Rating: See the reviews


Small services at the bottom of the Doncaster Bypass, or top of the Blyth Bypass if you prefer. It's no longer accessed directly from the A1, but from the new interchange next to it.

Facilities

Catering: Burger King, Costa Coffee, Greggs, Costa Express, Krispy Kreme Shops: M&S Simply Food, WHSmith Amenities: Travelodge, &Play, Full Hou$e, Showers Outdoor Space: Grass space behind hotel Charging Points: GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS & CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 Forecourt: Esso, SPAR, Starbucks on the Go, AdBlue4You, Free Cash Machine

Parking Prices

First 2 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. The location code is 2428.

The fees are strictly enforced by CP Plus.

This information is provided to us by third parties. You should always check with staff on site.

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Bawtry Road
Blyth
Worksop
Nottinghamshire
S81 8HG

🌍 Operators & Official Websites:


Trivia and History

Blyth closed entrance.jpg
Road signs welcoming visitors to the closed, old service area entrance, pictured in 2008.

Camera icon
Camera icon

Opened by Granada 1988
Re-branded Moto 2001

This service area was privately developed by Granada and Esso as an A-road service area. This made it an easy way to increase their presence without needing to tackle all the regulations that come with building a new motorway site. It was positioned two miles north of a small service area owned by their arch-rival, Forte. Blyth was planned quickly, and opened in early 1988.

The 16 acres of land had previously been identified for use as a shopping centre.

As a result of its small scale, Blyth used their standard back-up design with a cross shape. This turned out to become much busier than expected, so when Burger King was added it was placed in the very middle of the building, rather than interrupting the small restaurant area.

The restaurant and coffee area followed Granada and then Moto's brand names changes, becoming EDC and Caffè Ritazza. An "EDC Express" van would be parked outside to manage queues. The restaurants then became Costa, Greggs and a shared seating area.

A 2011 extension saw the site gain a M&S Simply Food store and lose the large restaurant windows. An outdoor children's play area was removed.

As a result of the original partnership, the forecourt was operated directly by Esso, who fitted it with a Snack & Shop store and Coffee Nation offering. It was sold to Euro Garages in 2015. Euro Garages rebranded the store to SPAR, added a Starbucks on the Go machine and a Subway offering. The Subway unit closed in late 2020 but, despite the closure, the unit remained fully furnished for some time after.

Junction Changes

When it was built, Blyth was accessed from the main southbound carriageway of the A1. The Hilltop Roundabout allowed northbound traffic to turn around, access the service area, and then all traffic followed the exit back to the A614.

The roundabout was replaced with a flyover in 2008. As a result of the new alignment, the direct access from the A1 was removed and the existing exit road was made two-way. The old entry to the HGV parking area was turned into a turning circle. It was some time before all the signage was updated to reflect the new road layout.

Moving the entrance and the resultant tree planting left Blyth with a lot of green space. The old roadway was then turned into an overflow car park in around 2013.

Rival Facilities

Some people remember the Hilltop Roundabout for the Hilltop Café, which was positioned opposite where Blyth services was built. It had a long, glass dining room and a small, American-style tower in the middle. It was ran by Blue Star and had direct access from the A1 northbound. The café closed in late 1985.

In June 2019, EG Group opened a KFC Drive Thru and Starbucks Drive Thru on the other side of the Hilltop Roundabout. These facilities are not signposted from any main road but still act as competitors to the signed Moto facilities.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
road becomes A1
Markham Moor (11 miles)
Services on the A1(M)Carcroft (northbound, 16 miles)
Barnsdale Bar (19 miles)
Doncaster (North) (M18, 19 miles)
Grantham North (38 miles)Moto servicesFerrybridge (24 miles)
Doncaster (North) (M18, 19 miles)

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