Wondering whether coach parking bays at motorway service areas will be available and not taken by trucks is just another challenge faced by coach drivers. But what’s the answer?
It’s late afternoon on a Tuesday in early June. At Peterborough Services, located to the west of the city at the busy junction of the A1 and A605, a coach operated by Kirks of Bedworth has called in on its journey back to the Coventry area. The 57-seater, driven by Paul, is carrying a full complement of school children returning from an enjoyable day out at Hunstanton.
Pulling into the entrance of the coach parking area Paul comes across an all too familiar problem. Most of the 15 or so dedicated coach parking bays are full, not with coaches but with HGVs. Finding a space, he carefully manoeuvres between the wagons, and the children and teachers alight and head into the services.
“It’s often like this,” says Paul. “There’s a large sign at the entrance to the coach parking area saying ‘Coaches Only’ and that all other vehicles will be fined £150. But there doesn’t appear to be any monitoring by the service station staff. The coach parking area is easily accessed by HGV drivers so it’s easy to see why they simply drive in and park. But the mixing of HGVs with children and other passengers is a real safety risk. What’s particular frustrating is that HGVs have their own, separate parking area, but we only have these bays. There needs to be better enforcement.”
Disappointing messaging
Peterborough services is operated by Extra, one of the four major motorway service area (MSA) operators in the UK. Checking the Extra website to understand what guidance is offered to coach and HGV drivers, it makes no reference to the fine that, according to the sign, will be levied should an HGV driver park in the area marked for coaches.
Overall, the messaging is disappointing.
But this situation is not limited to Peterborough services, it’s an issue across the country.
Alan Phillips, of Phillips International Travel, based in Bewdley in Worcestershire, has a clear view of MSAs.
“On a holiday tour I avoid them,” he says. “We just don’t go in. Never mind the facilities, which vary tremendously, we can’t be confident we’ll be able to park safely. On the M6 in Cheshire, if we’re in the Knutsford area we’ll actually go into the town rather than stop at the services. I feel that MSAs, in general, don’t want us.”
Colin Dudley, of Luton-based Three Star Coaches, has a similar dislike for MSAs.“I called in to Donington Park (Moto) with a coach one evening. The location, at the junction of the M1 and A453, makes it a popular place for drivers of large vehicles to take their breaks. But all the coach parking bays were taken by HGVs. I had to leave and carry on down the M1. Fortunately my hours meant I was OK, but if I’d been on my limit I’m not sure what I would have done. If HGVs are improperly parked, whether that’s simply laziness or wilful misuse, they need fining. The word will soon get round. The issue is, in part, the increase in number of trucks from the continent. They just park anywhere and who’s going to challenge them? But it does need policing.”
There are many other stories to be found on social media of coach drivers, finding their bays being used by cars, vans and caravans, and being on their drivers’ hours limit, simply blocking those vehicles in. It’s hard not to empathise with coach drivers finding themselves in that position.
A mixed responseThe largest MSA is Welcome Break, with 60 MSAs. Moto has 45, Roadchef has 30 and Extra has 10. Then there’s Westmorland, or more correctly, Westmorland Family, with three: Tebay North and South (M6), Cairn Lodge (M74) and Gloucester (M5).
Each MSA operator promotes its coach driver rewards programme on its website, suggesting there is a desire to welcome coaches. Welcome Break has ‘Coach Driver Rewards’, Moto has its ‘Coach Drivers’ Scheme’, Roadchef has ‘Captain’s Club’, Extra has a ‘Coach Driver Loyalty Scheme’, and ‘Westmorland has its ‘Coach Drivers’ Club’.
That suggests that MSA operators do indeed value coach operators’ business.
routeone contacted all five MSA operators to ask about enforcement.
Westmorland, which has received awards for the quality of the facilities and food it offers, responded quickly.
“We have car parking marshals during busy periods who help people navigate the car park to ensure everyone has a place to park, including coaches.”
The operator goes on to say: “We have dedicated coach drop off points at some of our sites and marked and well-lit walk ways to help passengers enter the building safely and easily.”
Commenting on its Coach Drivers’ Club loyalty scheme, it says: Over the next 12 months we’ll be doing a full review of our loyalty offer across our business – to ensure it is competitive and offers members the best perks we can.”
With a reputation to uphold, Westmorland will surely be making sure that the quality of its coach parking will be as well received as its other facilities.
But what about the big four MSA operators? Roadchef says that it is proud to welcome coach drivers and their passengers to its sites.
“We are committed to providing them with the highest quality experience. We continue to make investments across our estate to support both coach and HGV drivers, including the expansion of HGV parking at Annandale Water (A74M), Tibshelf North (M1) and Strensham North (M5) that will help ease pressure on dedicated coach bays. We encourage responsible bay use through visible messaging. We welcome email feedback via coachsupport@roadchef.com.”
Responding to a specific question about parking bay enforcement, Welcome Break says: “We take the proper use of coach parking bays seriously. While our primary method of enforcement is clear and prominent signage, this is part of a broader strategy designed to ensure coach bays remain available for their intended use. Our on-site teams conduct regular patrols and visual checks, particularly during peak travel times, to monitor bay usage and offer guidance where needed. We’re committed to being a very coach-friendly business and are always looking for ways to enhance the experience for coach drivers and passengers alike. Ensuring that coach bays are respected and available is a key part of that commitment.
“Beyond the physical infrastructure, we’re proud to foster a culture that genuinely values coach drivers. Whether it’s through our facilities, our customer service, or our ongoing dialogue with the coach industry, we’re always looking for ways to improve the experience.
“We want operators to know that when they choose Welcome Break, they’re choosing a partner that understands their needs and is actively working to support them. We welcome feedback from the coach community and are always open to collaboration – because when coach operators thrive, so do we.”
As routeone went to press there had been no response from either Moto or Extra.
The safety of passengers and drivers using MSAs needs to be taken much more seriously, a point recognised by our industry trade bodies.
Phil Smith, UK Coach Manager, Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) says: “We all know that inconsiderate parking can prevent coach operators from using MSAs as they should be used. We are very keen to put pressure on an MSA where misuse of coach parking bays can be shown. I would urge CPT members to report instances to me, but we do need date, time and location.”
Andy Warrender, Operations Manager – Coaches, RHA, says: “We’ve made approaches to all MSA operators in the past but there have been no conclusive outcomes. MSA land is private property so the responsibility to ensure that facilities for coaches are correctly used lies firmly with the MSAs. I don’t recall hearing about any instances of enforcement though.”
Industry forum
Peter Bradley, Managing Director of the UK Coach Operators Association, sees the future requiring better communications between the industry and MSA operators.
“There’s evidence that coach tourism is growing,” he says. “But talking with operators it’s clear that many are avoiding MSAs because they can’t rely on the quality of the service they’ll receive. Now is a great time for MSAs to tap into that growth by ensuring the facilities, both for parking and inside the MSA building, are as good as they can be. They need to take a closer look at vehicle segregation to avoid trucks seeing coach parking bays as just another place to park. We are very keen to engage with MSA operators but there needs to be a will from them for this to happen and there needs to be a greater understanding about the needs of coach operators. I would like to see an industry forum.”
Peter notes another element that needs to be explored.
“Looking ahead, an MSA will likely be a key part of the charging infrastructure for electric coaches. Getting the MSAs round the table will allow us all to explore the way forward.”
Reflecting the concerns of coach tour operators, Robert Shaw, Chair of the Coach Tourism Associations, says: “It is good that MSA operators recognise the value of coach business and appreciate the spending power of our passengers. As part of this process it is essential that they make it clear by prominent signage that certain areas are reserved for coaches only and enforce this, particularly at busy times.“
Establishing an industry forum that sees the trade bodies and MSA operators getting together to understand their respective concerns and expectations would seem to be long overdue. routeone will be watching developments closely.
