Tamworth: Difference between revisions
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|postcode = B77 5PS | |postcode = B77 5PS | ||
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|stype = Single site located at a junction | |stype = Single site located at a junction | ||
|rating = Tamworth | |rating = Tamworth | ||
|coords = 52.607416, -1.640214 | |coords = 52.607416, -1.640214 | ||
Revision as of 22:20, 14 August 2022
B77 5PS
map and directions
Single site located at a junction.
At the junction of the M42 and the A5 lies Relay Park, a business park with its own motorway service area inside it. It forms its own little oasis that feels like it's a world away from the large roundabout that guards its entrance.
Facilities
Catering: Burger King, Costa Coffee, Greggs, KFC, Pret A Manger, Costa Express, f'real Milkshakes, Krispy Kreme, Tango Ice Blast Shops: M&S Simply Food, WHSmith Amenities: Travelodge, Full Hou$e, Template:Go Pod, Lucky Coin, Showers Outdoor Space: Fair amount of grass behind hotel Charging Points: GRIDSERVE Electric Highway 50kW CCS, 50kW CHAdeMO & 22kW Type 2 Forecourt: Esso, SPAR, Rollover, Starbucks on the Go, AdBlue4You, Jet Wash, Free Cash Machine
Parking Prices
First 2 hours free for all vehicles, after which cars must pay £15 and HGVs, caravans and motorhomes £30. HGVs can pay £32 to include a £10 food voucher.
Prices are paid using PayByPhone. The location code is 2466.
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:
Moto Tamworth
Tamworth Motorway Services Area
Green Lane
Wilnecote
Tamworth
Staffordshire
B77 5PS
- Amenity building and hotel operated by Moto
- Forecourt operated by EG Group
- Foursquare Page
- 📞 Telephone number: 01827 260120
- 📌 what3words: ///joined.retire.brave
- more map options
Trivia and History
Upon opening, the site was described as being the "largest single-sided service area in Europe", at a total size of 28 acres. There were 257 car parking spaces together with 18 spaces for coaches and 34 HGV spaces within the site boundary. A 1994 study calculated that the service area had a turn-in rate of just 5-6%.
The service area's access road formed part of a through route, linking a country lane (Green Lane) to the dual carriageway to the M42 (also called Green Lane). It is not a public route and has since been closed off.
Under the original plans for the HS2 eastern rail link, Tamworth services would have been demolished. A revised plan has the tracks running in a tunnel, allowing the service area to remain.
Planning
See also: M42 Service Area Planning
The original plan for the M42 had a service area nearer J11 - probably at Austrey Meadows. Building at J10 was specifically ruled out because it would cause traffic issues.
By the time the motorway was mostly complete in 1986, the Department of Transport were trying a number of new methods to encourage interest from developers. They decided to experiment with a new system where instead of specifying the location, they would invite any developer to propose a service station "on the northern section of the M42". The first developer to come up with a proposal that satisfied both the DoT and the local authority's planning department would win the contract.
Esso won the contract in 1987 with their plan for Tamworth services, which would be built in the new industrial estate. Esso partnered with Granada to build and operate the main building, and later sold their petrol station to Euro Garages. It opened on 24 May 1990, and immediately prompted media headlines because the café was decorated with pictures of industrial Stoke-on-Trent.
At 28 acres, it claimed to be the largest single-side service area in Europe.
Brand Changes
Between 1994 and 1998 there was a Rock Island Diner here. It was initially provided in a separate building, but it was later moved indoors. Insiders claimed this was because it was failing, but Granada insisted the move was to double its capacity. It had glossy chrome and red plastic fittings and 1950s posters and music are no longer to be found.
The inside restaurant then became Little Chef, while the outdoor building became Ladbrokes. Ladbrokes later closed in 2020 and the building now lies empty.
The M&S Simply Food store opened on 2 March 2006, in a ceremony attended by the then-manager of Tamworth FC Mark Cooper.
During early 2022, the site underwent major refurbishment works which saw a minor refurbishment to the toilet and shower facilities as well as the Greggs store. The Costa unit has also been relocated to the back wall with a new Pret A Manger store joining it on 26 May 2022 and a new KFC restaurant opening on 10 June 2022, creating a new food court area with seating in the middle and brands around the side. Tamworth will also gain the new Moto 'smile' branding upon completion of the works, along with an additional 38 HGV parking spaces.
The forecourt continues to operate separately to the main building, despite originally carrying Granada branding. EG Group changed its shop branding from SPAR to Sainsbury's On the go in late 2020, at which point the on-site Subway closed. The shop rebranded back to SPAR in 2021 and the former Subway unit was replaced with a Rollover counter in early 2022.
Alternatives
| Previous: | Next: | |
| Hopwood Park (25 miles) Warwick (M40, 36 miles) Corley (M6 south, 18 miles) Norton Canes (M6 Toll, 16 miles) | Services on the M42 | Appleby Magna (8 miles) Donington (A42, 21 miles) |
| Hinckley (12 miles) | Services on the A5 | none nearby |
| none on M42 Cherwell Valley (M40, 61 miles) | Moto services | none on M42 Donington (A42, 21 miles) |
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