A service station on the M62 near Manchester has just been handed the unfortunate title of the worst in the UK.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, it’s the second year in a row it’s been given the honour.
Merely a couple of weeks after the glorious Tebay Services – also known as the little slice of motorway service station heaven just off the M6 in Cumbria, which is a classic halfway stop-off for Mancs heading up north – was named the best the country has to offer, a new survey has taken a look at the flip side.
If Tebay Services is the gold-standard for service stations, then at the other end of the spectrum, we’ve got Hartshead Moor East on the M62.
For the second year running, this service station situated between the two major northern cities of Manchester and Leeds has been the one that motorists have said they’d least likely to recommend to a friend.
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Run by and branded as Welcome Break, with popular food, drink, and retail chains such as Starbucks, KFC, Subway, Waitrose, WHSmith, and more operating inside of it, Hartshead Moor East has found itself at the bottom of an annual survey by Transport Focus – which is currently in its sixth year.
To compile the list of best and worst in the UK for 2023, the independent watchdog spoke to more than 30,000 visitors at 120 motorway services, and asked them about their views on the toilets, customer service, value of the food and drink, and electric vehicle charging facilities.
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As a whole, motorway services performed well this year, with 94% of visitors saying they they were satisfied with their visit, which is up from 93% in 2022.
But when it comes to Hartshead Moor East, it was given the lowest overall satisfaction rating at 84%.
Hartshead Moor East services is off the M62 between Manchester and Leeds / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Visitors particularly pointed to the fact work to refurbish the toilets was underway during the survey period and portable toilets were in place.
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Speaking on the results of the annual survey that Hartshead Moor East would rather forget, Anthony Smith – Chief Executive of Transport Focus – said: “Our survey shows motorway services offer a great experience with friendly and helpful staff and provide drivers with the opportunity to rest, relax and take a break before continuing their journey.
“This includes making sure the range of food and drink on offer is good value for money for visitors as cost of living increases continue to bite.”
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News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
6th October 2023 
