Motorway Services Online

Retrieved from "https://motorwayservices.uk"

Reading: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
Visual
Rich (message wall | contribs)
Moderators, users-p
46,618 edits
 
(143 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Services
{{Services
|type = motorway
|type = motorway
|image = Reading West 2019.jpg
|image = Reading West 2024.jpg
|operator = Moto
|operator = Moto
|road = [[M4]] between J11 and J12
|road = [[M4]] between J11 and J12
|postcode = RG30 3UQ
|postcode = RG30 3UQ
|telephone = 0118 956 6966
|signposted = Yes
|signposted = Yes
|stype = Two sites located between junctions, with no public connection between them.
|stype = Two sites located between junctions, with no public connection between them
|rating = Reading
|rating = Reading
|coords = 51.424427, -1.034753
|coords = 51.424467, -1.0347379
|markerpost = 030-x
|markerpost = 0030-f
|briefroad = M4 between J11 and J12 }}
|briefroad = M4 between J11 and J12
|smartmotorway = yes
}}


Once one the M4's big retailing services, Reading retains its atriums on either side of the road.
Once one the M4's big shopping service areas, Reading retains its atriums on either side of the road.


==Facilities==
==Facilities==
{{Facilities|Restaurants| {{Burger King}}, {{Chow}}, {{Costa}}, {{Greggs}}, {{West Cornwall Pasty Company}}, {{Costa Express}}, {{Krispy Kreme}}, [[M&S Coffee to Go]], {{Costa Drive Thru}}
{{facilities| Catering | {{Burger King}}, {{Chow}}, {{Costa Coffee}}, {{Greggs}}, {{KFC}}, {{Pret A Manger}}, {{West Cornwall Pasty Co}}, {{Costa Express}}, f'real Milkshakes, {{Krispy Kreme}}, {{M&S Coffee to Go}}, Tango Ice Blast, Urban Legend Doughnuts, {{Costa Drive Thru}} }}
|W={{Arlo's|breakfast=yes|warning=mornings only|W|s}}, {{El Mexicana|W|s}}, {{KFC|W|s}} }}
{{facilities| Shops | {{M&S Food}}, {{WHSmith}}
{{Facilities|Shops| {{M&S Simply Food}}, {{WHSmith}}}}
|W = {{Phone Tech|W|s}} }}
{{Facilities|Amenities| Dog Walking Area, {{Ecotricity}}, [[Full Hou$e]], [[Lucky Coin]], Showers
{{facilities| Amenities | {{Travelodge}}, {{Changing Places}}, {{Full Hou$e}}, {{Lucky Coin}}, {{Revolution Laundry}}, Showers }}
|W={{Children's Play Area|W|s}}
{{facilities| Outdoor Space | Large grass area behind each hotel
|E={{Moto Meetings|E|s}} }}
|W = {{Children's Play Area|W|s}} }}
{{Facilities|Motel| {{Travelodge||65/Reading-M4-Westbound|238/Reading-M4-Eastbound|dir=e}}}}
{{facilities| Charging Points | bp pulse 150kW CCS & 120kW CHAdeMO; GRIDSERVE Electric Highway HPC 350kW CCS, 100kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2
{{Facilities|Forecourt| {{BP|lpg=yes}}, [[BP Connect|Shop]], {{Wild Bean Cafe}}, Air1 AdBlue }}
|W = Tesla Supercharger 250kW }}
{{facilities| Forecourt | {{BP}}, [[BP Connect|Shop]], {{M&S Food}}, {{Wild Bean Cafe}}, Free Cash Machine }}


==Parking Prices==
==Parking Prices==
First two hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £30.50. HGVs can pay £32.50 to include a £10 food voucher.
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £33. HGVs can pay £36 to include a £10 food voucher.
 
Prices are paid in the shop or by using [https://www.justpark.com/parking/products/how-it-works JustPark]. The location code is 625147 (westbound) and 625146 (eastbound).
 
HGVs can also pay by using [https://snapacc.com/ SNAP]. The location code is 13482 (westbound) and 13481 (eastbound).


Prices are paid using [[PayByPhone|PayByPhone - more details]]. The location code is 2457 (westbound) and 2456 (eastbound).
The fees are strictly enforced by [[GroupNexus]].


The fees are strictly enforced by [[CP Plus]].
{{Parking Disclaimer}}


==Contact Details==
==Contact Details==
Line 40: Line 46:
RG30 3UQ
RG30 3UQ
|telephone = 0118 956 6966
|telephone = 0118 956 6966
|gridref = SU671699
|websites =  
|website = https://moto-way.com/location/reading-westbound/ Official Moto/Reading Westbound Website]
* [https://moto-way.com/services/reading-westbound/ Westbound amenity building operated by Moto]
* [https://moto-way.com/location/reading-eastbound/ Official Moto/Reading Eastbound Website
* [https://moto-way.com/services/reading-eastbound/ Eastbound amenity building operated by Moto]
* [https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/65/Reading-M4-Westbound-hotel Westbound hotel operated by Travelodge]
* [https://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/238/Reading-M4-Eastbound-hotel Eastbound hotel operated by Travelodge]
* [https://map.bp.com/en-GB/GB/petrol-station/reading/reading-west-connect-mwsa/4025 Westbound forecourt operated by BP Express]
* [https://map.bp.com/en-GB/GB/petrol-station/reading/reading-east-connect-mwsa/4024 Eastbound forecourt operated by BP Express]
|foursquare = 4b59d578f964a520de9a28e3 }}
|foursquare = 4b59d578f964a520de9a28e3 }}


==Trivia and History==
==Trivia and Design==
{{Gallery
[[File:Reading inside.jpg|250px|thumb|right|alt=Eat & Drink Co. restaurant.|The former restaurant area.]]
|image = Reading west.jpg
{{fulldetails|History:Reading}}
|size = 250
In Spring 2017, [[Transport Focus]] calculated a 100% satisfaction score for the westbound services and 96% for the eastbound services. This made the westbound services one of the country's top two. By 2019, westbound had fallen to 84%, with eastbound on 90%.
|caption = The original core of the building was the atrium - it's now all extended outwards.
|keydates = {{Key Date | 1995 | Opened by [[Granada]] }}
{{Key Date | 2001 | Re-branded [[Moto]] }} }}
Following the failure of the planned [[Warren Copse|Warren Copse services]], in the late 1970s attention turned to a service area "in the Reading area", which would open in 1980. It eventually opened in 1995, with the chosen site being an old landfill site.
 
In planning it was referred to as 'Field Farm services'.
 
In the 1990s there were vague plans to widen the M4. As a result, the services deliberately left a 67 metre gap between the motorway and any construction, to allow space for whatever new road layout would be chosen. The sliproads were positioned so that they could easily be realigned to meet a new motorway. This space is best seen in an aerial photo.
 
[[BP Express]] operate the filling stations here. In summer 2016, along with [[Stafford (North)]], [[BP Express|BP]] refurbished the Wild Bean Cafés to its latest fascia, closing the M&S stores in the process.


In Spring 2017, [[Transport Focus]] calculated a 100% satisfaction score for the westbound services and 96% for the eastbound services. This made the westbound services one of the country's top two. By 2019, westbound had fallen to 84%, with eastbound on 90%.
As one of the newer service areas, Reading's two buildings are both build around an atrium, with south-facing windows. Over time this has been extended significantly with new retail units.


===Extensions and Branding===
During summer 2021, the former westbound external [[Costa]] kiosk was refurbished and rented out to Evapo Vape Shop. They later closed in April 2022. The kiosk was rented by [[Top Gift]] in 2023, with [[Phone Tech]] taking the unit in early 2024 following Top Gift's closure.
[[File:UpperCrust.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The former Upper Curst.|alt=Upper Curst.]]
The original plans for the services had the westbound amenity building further from the road, with both car parks being west of their respective amenity buildings and the motel to the west of that. In around 2001 a drive-thru [[Burger King]] was going to be added to the petrol station, like at [[Stafford (North)]] and [[Leigh Delamere]], but the plans were withdrawn.


A series of extensions were applied to the atrium area of the services in the late 1990s, particularly to the eastbound side, which saw the Travelodge become interconnected. A BT Workspace was opened, designed to attract passing business people with contemporary perks of the time such as a phone and internet connection. The westbound side was given an extension to gain M&S, and an additional entrance.
Moto added electric vehicle charging hubs on both sides in 2022, which both feature a further 12 ultra-rapid chargers. The eastbound hub went live in December 2022, with the westbound hub following in January 2023.


In 2006 there were plans for the [[Fresh Express]] to be branded 'Real Food Company'. A change of owners meant that was halted, and [[EDC]] was launched instead.  
BP Pulse electric vehicle charging points were also installed here in 2020, but due to disputes between BP and Moto about power supply the eastbound side was only switched on in March 2023. Works continued on the westbound side to install additional power supply for the chargers in summer 2023, with the chargers eventually going live in Autumn 2023.


In 2016 the westbound services were refurbished, and now include a refit WHSmith and a modernised M&S Simply Food, as well as a larger Costa Express machine. The former Upper Crust was replaced by an extended Costa and Arlo's, Chow and El Mexicana replaced the westbound EDC, and a refurbished entrance has been provided.
The eastbound side received major investment in 2022 with the toilets and showers being refurbished along with the former [[EDC]] restaurant being replaced by a relocated Costa store as well as a new KFC restaurant, which opened on 30 May 2022. Moto also added an additional 18 HGV spaces as part of their investment into improving facilities for HGV drivers.


At the start of April 2017, the eastbound side gained Moto’s first [[Costa Drive Thru]]. In December 2017, a new Chow opened within a former part of EDC’s servery. EDC became a lot smaller.
The westbound side also received a toilet and shower refurbishment and 18 additional HGV spaces in 2022, with works commencing on the inside of the main building to add a [[Pret A Manger]] store in early 2023. The new Pret A Manger store opened on 28 March 2023 and replaced the space formerly occupied by the main Costa store. The additional second Costa store at the back of the building has since become the main Costa store, gaining a refurbishment in early March 2023.


In May 2019, the [[Arlo's]] in the westbound services closed to make way for a new [[KFC]] unit which opened on 1 July 2019. The Chow unit now opens as '''Breakfast @ Arlo's''' at 6am and begins to serve the Chow menu at lunchtime.
Moto were also looking at adding a [[Greggs|Greggs Drive Thru]] to the area by the eastbound coach park, which would have been the first Greggs drive-thru at a motorway service area and a second drive thru option for Reading eastbound, but this is no longer the case. Following the opening of the new drive-thru, the current Greggs store was lined up to become a [[Pret A Manger]] store, but a Pret A Manger store was later added inside the main building on 19 March 2024 instead.


In late 2019, the eastbound EDC restaurant closed.
Moto's next project could be to build a solar farm next to the eastbound service area, providing power for the facilities and the charging points.


==Alternatives==
==Alternatives==
{{Succession start}}
{{Succession start}}
{{Succession|1|M4| [[Heston]] (32 miles){{newline}}[[South Mimms]] (M25 north, 51 miles){{newline}}[[Cobham]] (M25 south, 45 miles){{newline}}[[Toddington]] (M1 north, 59 miles) |
{{Succession|1|M4| [[Heston]] (32 miles){{newline}}[[South Mimms]] (M25 north, 54 miles){{newline}}[[Cobham]] (M25 south, 45 miles){{newline}}[[Toddington]] (M1 north, 63 miles) |
[[Chieveley]] (12 miles) }}
[[Chieveley]] (12 miles) }}
{{Succession|2|Moto| [[Heston]] (32 miles){{newline}}[[Toddington]] (M1 north, 59 miles) |
{{Succession|2|Moto| [[Heston]] (32 miles){{newline}}[[Toddington]] (M1 north, 63 miles) |
[[Chieveley]] (12 miles) }}
[[Chieveley]] (12 miles) }}
</table>
</table>


{{bottomnav}}
{{bottomnav}}
[[Category:1990s]][[Category:M4]][[Category:HA Approved Truckstops]][[Category:M4 (Great Britain)]]
[[Category:1990s]][[Category:M4]][[Category:HA Approved Truckstops]][[Category:M4 (Great Britain)]][[Category:Services on TV]]

Latest revision as of 22:36, 5 January 2025

Reading
Reading services
Camera icon
Camera icon
Many more photos in the gallery
Location:

M4 between J11 and J12

Signposted from the road.

Postcode:

RG30 3UQ

map and directions

Access/Layout:

Two sites located between junctions, with no public connection between them.

Rating: See the reviews


Once one the M4's big shopping service areas, Reading retains its atriums on either side of the road.

Facilities

Catering: Burger King, Chow, Costa Coffee, Greggs, KFC, Pret A Manger, West Cornwall Pasty Co., Costa Express, f'real Milkshakes, Krispy Kreme, M&S Coffee to Go, Tango Ice Blast, Urban Legend Doughnuts, Costa Drive Thru Shops: on both sides: M&S Food, WHSmith
plus westbound only: Phone Tech Amenities: Travelodge, Changing Places, Full Hou$e, Lucky Coin, Revolution Laundry, Showers Outdoor Space: on both sides: Large grass area behind each hotel
plus westbound only: Children's Play Area Charging Points: on both sides: bp pulse 150kW CCS & 120kW CHAdeMO; GRIDSERVE Electric Highway HPC 350kW CCS, 100kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2
plus westbound only: Tesla Supercharger 250kW Forecourt: BP, Shop, M&S Food, Wild Bean Café, Free Cash Machine

Parking Prices

First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £33. HGVs can pay £36 to include a £10 food voucher.

Prices are paid in the shop or by using JustPark. The location code is 625147 (westbound) and 625146 (eastbound).

HGVs can also pay by using SNAP. The location code is 13482 (westbound) and 13481 (eastbound).

The fees are strictly enforced by GroupNexus.

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

Contact Details

🏢 Address:
Reading Motorway Service Area
Burghfield
Reading
Berkshire
RG30 3UQ

🌍 Operators & Official Websites:


Trivia and Design

Eat & Drink Co. restaurant.
The former restaurant area.

See also: History:Reading

In Spring 2017, Transport Focus calculated a 100% satisfaction score for the westbound services and 96% for the eastbound services. This made the westbound services one of the country's top two. By 2019, westbound had fallen to 84%, with eastbound on 90%.

As one of the newer service areas, Reading's two buildings are both build around an atrium, with south-facing windows. Over time this has been extended significantly with new retail units.

During summer 2021, the former westbound external Costa kiosk was refurbished and rented out to Evapo Vape Shop. They later closed in April 2022. The kiosk was rented by Top Gift in 2023, with Phone Tech taking the unit in early 2024 following Top Gift's closure.

Moto added electric vehicle charging hubs on both sides in 2022, which both feature a further 12 ultra-rapid chargers. The eastbound hub went live in December 2022, with the westbound hub following in January 2023.

BP Pulse electric vehicle charging points were also installed here in 2020, but due to disputes between BP and Moto about power supply the eastbound side was only switched on in March 2023. Works continued on the westbound side to install additional power supply for the chargers in summer 2023, with the chargers eventually going live in Autumn 2023.

The eastbound side received major investment in 2022 with the toilets and showers being refurbished along with the former EDC restaurant being replaced by a relocated Costa store as well as a new KFC restaurant, which opened on 30 May 2022. Moto also added an additional 18 HGV spaces as part of their investment into improving facilities for HGV drivers.

The westbound side also received a toilet and shower refurbishment and 18 additional HGV spaces in 2022, with works commencing on the inside of the main building to add a Pret A Manger store in early 2023. The new Pret A Manger store opened on 28 March 2023 and replaced the space formerly occupied by the main Costa store. The additional second Costa store at the back of the building has since become the main Costa store, gaining a refurbishment in early March 2023.

Moto were also looking at adding a Greggs Drive Thru to the area by the eastbound coach park, which would have been the first Greggs drive-thru at a motorway service area and a second drive thru option for Reading eastbound, but this is no longer the case. Following the opening of the new drive-thru, the current Greggs store was lined up to become a Pret A Manger store, but a Pret A Manger store was later added inside the main building on 19 March 2024 instead.

Moto's next project could be to build a solar farm next to the eastbound service area, providing power for the facilities and the charging points.

Alternatives

Previous:Next:
Heston (32 miles)
South Mimms (M25 north, 54 miles)
Cobham (M25 south, 45 miles)
Toddington (M1 north, 63 miles)		Services on the M4Chieveley (12 miles)
Heston (32 miles)
Toddington (M1 north, 63 miles)		Moto servicesChieveley (12 miles)

Visitor Feedback

Visitors can leave public feedback on their experience by logging into the CommentBox app. You can do so quickly below:


Views expressed in these comments are those of the individual contributor. User accounts are managed by CommentBox.io. Registration helps prevent automated spam.
We ask the companies named to check here, but we can't force them to do so.

Main Page | Photo Gallery | Location, Map and Directions