Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions
Lane Hog!
John Stapleton looks into why people Lane Hog and what effects it has on the driver hogging the lane and other road users.
Educating tomorrow's drivers
See how we are driving through key messages about safety on our network for the drivers of tomorrow.
Meet the Ancestors
Find out about the history of roads and the work the Agency does to preserve archaeological remains.
See when traffic will be lightest
Our traffic forecaster can help get you there quicker
The Highways Agency and Motorway Service Areas in England
Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) and other roadside facilities perform an important road safety function by providing road users with the opportunity to stop and take a break in the course of their journey. Government advice is that motorists should take a break of at least 20 minutes every two hours. Drivers of Large Goods Vehicles are subject to a regime of statutory breaks.
In April 2008, following public consultation, the Highways Agency, on behalf of the Department for Transport, published a new policy on the provision of roadside facilities on its network. That policy, Circular 02/2008 is available on line at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/policy/roadfacilitiespolicy.pdf
Motorway Service Areas and Motorway Rest Areas
Prior to 1992, the Department of Transport was responsible for developing MSAs by acquiring land, funding construction and leasing the completed sites to operating companies. 21 MSA sites are still owned by the Government. The remaining 50 sites are privately owned, and a further two are currently under construction. Since 1992 it has been for the private sector to take the initiative in identifying and acquiring MSA sites and to seek planning consent from Local Planning Authorities (LPAs). The Highways Agency provides advice to LPAs in relation to motorway safety and traffic management.
Operators of MSAs must comply with the requirements of Government policy. These provisions are reflected in the Traffic Signs Agreements into which they enter with the Highways Agency. All other operational matters, including pricing and staffing matters, are the responsibility of the operators. The Government specifies that all MSAs must offer:
- Free short term parking for all types of vehicle
- Free toilets and hand washing facilities (in sufficient quantity to cater reasonably for the traffic flow on the motorway) and baby changing facilities
- Fuel
- Access for up to two hours for those carrying out emergency repairs to broken down vehicles.
- Access to all facilities for disabled people.
- Facilities must be available for 24 hours a day every day of the year
- Access to a cash operated telephone
Motorway Rest Areas must provide:
- Free short term parking for all types of vehicle
- Free toilets and hand washing facilities and baby changing facilities
- Access to all facilities for disabled people.
- Access for up to two hours for those carrying out emergency repairs to broken down vehicles.
- Access to a cash operated telephone
Motorway Service Area Locations
Signed Trunk Road Service Areas
Policy requires that roadside facilities signed from the Highways Agency’s network of major A-roads must be open between the hours of 8am and 8pm every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day. The facilities must provide:
- fuel
- free short term parking (minimum of 2 hours)
- free use of toilet and hand washing facilities without any obligation to make a purchase
- Access to all facilities for disabled people
