Britain's newest motorway service area with 'unusual' feature

The UK's newest motorway service station has opened its doors, with the site enjoying a rather unique feature. Welcome Break's new Rotherham services, located at junction 33 of the M1, opened to the public in January 2024.

Welcome Break's 60th site in the UK is fitted with 458 parking bays, a diverse range of brands and top food options. The service station is located just outside Sheffield, making it the perfect stop for those heading into town. The site cost a staggering £55million to construct and is the UK's first brand new motorway service area for 20 years.

However, Welcome Break's latest site has an unusual layout with car and HGV facilities separated on either side of the road. It means the HGV amenities are located on one side of the M1, while the main food and retail outlets are on the other.

It means customers must use an underpass tunnel to move between the two sides of the services. This helps keep HGV drivers active during their stop-offs and could prove pivotal in reducing fatigue ahead of an unbound journey.

The quirky features don't end there, with Welcome Break also fitting its Rotherham site with a range of outdoor fitness equipment. Alongside an indoor Game Zone for adults, Welcome Break has also fitted a a Fun House aimed at children aged eight and upwards.

It's another entirely new concept being adopted and a first to be installed in a Welcome Break anywhere in the country. A total of 28 electric car charging plugs are also available, ensuring road users can top-up their batteries while sipping on a coffee.

At the launch of the new site, Adrian Grimes, Commercial Director at Welcome Break, stressed the new service station would be vital for the local community.

He explained: "Opening our 60th service area in Rotherham is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the journey experience for motorists across the UK.

"This new site will not only provide a variety of dining and retail options but also play a vital role in supporting the local economy through job creation. We are proud to contribute to the Rotherham community and look forward to serving travellers at this strategically important location."

Rotherham's Welcome Break site is open 24 hours a day, with two hours of free parking for motorists.