Guide to Hartshead Moor services

As the M62 descends from the Pennines into densely built-up West Yorkshire, Hartshead Moor is literally a transfer from the highlands to the lowlands. The scenery may not be what makes it a landmark: the eastbound side has the unfortunate distinction of twice coming last in the industry's 'official' satisfaction survey, a somewhat surprising claim which might divide fans of the UK's only trans-Pennine motorway.

Facilities

Catering: on both sides: Starbucks, Subway, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks on the Go, Starbucks Drive Thru
plus westbound only: KFC
and eastbound only: Burger King, Chopstix Noodle Bar, The Good Breakfast Shops: on both sides: WHSmith
plus westbound only: Waitrose & Partners Amenities: on both sides: Game Zone, Showers
and eastbound only: Days Inn, Revolution Laundry Outdoor Space: Grass areas behind buildings Charging Points: Applegreen Electric 100kW CCS & 100kW CHAdeMO; GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2; Tesla Supercharger 150kW CCS Forecourt: Welcome Break, The Phat Pasty Co., f'real Milkshakes, Rollover, Starbucks on the Go

Parking Prices

First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 for a further 24 hours and HGVs, caravans and coaches must pay £31 (or £33 to include a £12 meal voucher).

Prices can be paid in WHSmith and the forecourt shop, with instructions in each car park. They are strictly enforced by ParkingEye.

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

Contact Details

Trivia and History

Despite many motorists imagining that this part of the M62 is very rural, it's in fact very busy, with four lanes and two interchanges close by. For reasons that aren't clear, the eastern approach to the service area is extremely well signed.

The location may not have been ideal, but it was chosen simply because it was the first suitable piece of land that could be used for a service area after Birch. A large plot of land was needed as there would be a larger-than-standard gap between the two.

A hybrid unit opened here in July 2024 housing The Good Breakfast and Chopstix Noodle Bar offers.

Opening

See also: M62 Service Area Planning

The 32 acre location was approved in 1967, but a major gas line and geological faults caused issues. A land zoning plan was issued to bidders, with parts of the site reserved for planting. It was suggested that buildings be built at the north end, to get the best views.

West Riding County Council pushed for the service area to be on one side of the road only, with a bridge between the two. This was deemed to be excessive. They then suggested the planned Methley services could provide the other half, which would have increased the gap from Birch. The Ministry said they were "thoroughly unhappy" about this, calling the insistence that Hartshead Moor be single-sided "unnecessary".

The westbound restaurant was opened to the press on 22 May 1973, as part of celebrations of the completion of the M62. The rest of the facilities were phased in until 5 July 1973, when Keith Speed MP attended an opening ceremony.

The parking layout was designed to minimise the incline for large vehicles. It allowed for 346 cars, 161 lorries and 15 coaches. The restaurant sat 600 people in total across the public and transport cafés, with large windows making the most of the view to the south west.

It was one of the first services to open without any steps. As a sign of the attitude towards accessibility at the time, this was thought to be remarkable.

Taverna were allowed to bid for these services despite owning Woolley Edge, as little traffic was thought to be making that journey. The chosen design was created by the same architects who had worked on the original Killington Lake.

Operation

Egon Ronay rated the service area as "poor" in 1976, noting it was fairly clean but for the stained carpet. A 1978 government review described the services as "scruffy". But by their 1986 survey, Which? praised the services as an example of attractive design work, with real plants inside and decent seating. They recommended it again in 1991.

Under the original Welcome Break's ownership, Hartshead Moor was apparently known for its special menu promotions, including a Greek themed season.

A mobile tourist information centre and a greenhouse were among the facilities available in the 1990s. A Little Chef Lodge had been approved to be built in 1988, it was then proposed again as a Travelodge which was refused for its design which was said to be unsympathetic to the local environment. It was built some time later and is now the Days Inn.

The service area received considerable media attention in 2022, after the eastbound side came last in the 2022 Transport Focus public satisfaction survey, though it still scored 80% satisfaction. The westbound side didn't fare much better, scoring 87% but only coming 105th. The Guardian was one of many to report on the story, where they visited and concluded it was "alright": a pretty good review for the supposed worst in the country.

Despite The Guardian's indifference, things got worse when Hartshead Moor came last again in 2023, and received the most recommendations to avoid. This may be because refurbishment began after the 2022 results were published and was still underway when next survey was conducted. The eastbound side received 84% satisfaction and the westbound side scored 88% satisfaction, which is arguably a respectable score despite all the negative attention.

M62 Incident

The service area is notable for the plaque and memorial garden outside the westbound service area. It commemorates members of the armed forces and their families who were killed when a device planted on their coach detonated four miles east of Hartshead Moor.

The attack, which happened on 4 February 1974, was described as "the worst IRA outrage on the British mainland". The westbound building at Hartshead Moor played an important role in coordinating the emergency response, so its entrance hall was chosen as the location for a plaque.

Over time, the building became busier and nosier, and concern was raised that it wasn't a suitable location for the memorial. Welcome Break agreed, and on 4 February 2009 a new memorial garden opened at the back of the building. Positioned with four flag poles, it includes an English oak tree, a memorial stone, a memorial plaque and a raised marble tablet inscribed with the names of those who died. This was joined by an Army Medical Services memorial on 1 September 2013.

More information on the attack can be found at the BBC.

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