Barrie Nicoll wrote:It always seems so greedy the way our motorway services are run, captive customers and rip-off prices, just like everything else in the UK really.
The German autobahns have 'parkplatz' and 'rastplatz' at frequent intervals all over their motorway network, as do other eurpean countries too. Perhaps this sort of system might alleviate some of the problems in the UK, but it will never happen because there is so little scope for profiteering. (probably by MPs or their close families)
Whoever takes over the franchises pays a small in providing the buildings, shower and toilet facilities, picnic areas etc and have to be open 24/7 all year round. The government taxes them at 50% of revenue not profit so for example where cigarettes have a tiny profit margin they whack on 2 or 3 quid a packet to cover their costs.