On this day 50 years ago (1976): the Staples Corner flyover opened. It was one of two structures which were originally planned for this landmark roundabout that marks what's now the start of the M1.

On this day 25 years ago (2001): the Study and Appreciation of the British Roads Experience launched an MSN discussion group, making it easier to exchange views among the UK's largest roads community.

Warminster services was built by Granada in 1992. It was rebranded after 9 years. 25 years after that, local media (presumably using a police statement) are still trying referring to it by this name! The pinnacle of 'old habits die hard'

On this day 65 years ago (1961): the A1(M) Doncaster Bypass opened. One of the more forgotten vintage motorways, its narrow alignment remains a bottleneck today. The new road was so novel, there was considerable debate over how to tackle its unusual number.

Not linking because it's a weird clone of The Sun, even though I do approve of that photo caption

Not dumping on the poster because I'm the weirdo here, but you were literally in a shop full of maps! You were fine!

Not posting the link because I don't want to dump on the achievement, but this is very obviously not true. The M5 opened in 1974. The A38 is 3 miles away and the service station wasn't picked up and moved. Wellington News (I blame ChatGPT) were thinking of the Cullompton Bypass, which isn't Taunton

The quintessential service station layout. 'Give way' signs are both in the wrong place. Junction on the right is badly faded so people assume the 'straight on' has priority. Potholes.

And this is what we are being replaced by. But it's worth stressing that while you (our kind Bluesky follower) may be outraged by inaccuracy, the vast majority would lap this up. They'd make a YouTube video about the A3102(M) sooner than they would check the link for details.

I assume this is the old trucker's entrance to Frankley services. I don't know for sure, but it definitely looks like it hasn't been touched for 40 years. Maybe someone will call the Tyreservices Action Line to check? "The only permitted service in this area" - pretty sure that was outlawed in 1979

Don't bother sending me that article called "How UK Motorway Services Are Becoming Tourist Destinations" which is appearing in multiple outlets. This is the header image they are using. It's pure slop.

Good luck with the third one

After all the fun of Bolton West years ago, people ask me what the current worst service station is. Honestly, none are in that league. But if we're looking for the 'most depressing entry', Knutsford gets let off way too lightly. Most of it was once brown brick. Who signed off the cladding?!

Did you know? It would take Usain Bolt 9.58 seconds to run the length of the footbridge at Washington services. I would like this to be confirmed one day.

Anybody have any contacts at Medway services to bring this offer back?

It's SRT Petroleum, a petrol station somewhere on the slow road between Dorchester and Bristol

It is officially the most barren "Services" sign (and yes it's also the wrong colour)

Welcome Break have announced their purchase of Cornwall services. I was going to tell you to read our coverage (link: motorwayservices.uk/Cornwall#Sale ), but we can't get you a picture better than what Reach Plc are using for this story:

How many of roads.org.uk 's references did you spot?

On a permanent sign?!

I have read this trash so that you don't have to, and the only complaint I could find was that she wanted to eat all the cheese.

As well as being nearly 2 years out of date and wrong, an article in today's Daily Express makes the bizarre claim that the UK hasn't opened any other service stations since 2005.

Infrastructure planning is bonkers, episode 33: The new Basingstoke services will be legally only accessible to motorists, despite having a large source of potential employees just 380 metres away from the building and the route by road being much longer (and congested).

As evidence of Granada Roadside falls into history, it's quite impressive that this 30 year-old circle sign hasn't been hit by a vehicle. (Unlike the flag sign which is lying flat on the ground.) You can read a lot more about Granada and circles here: motorwayservices.uk/Internal_Signs

Incredible advert for Little Chef Whittington in 1972

Correct, in fact, I think ALL of NH's signs immediately outside this service station contain errors, so there is a bit of glass houses here. Attached is a small sample Also, NH had a legal right to object to Moto's design work, which they chose not to use.

By way of comparison, here's what Moto actually installed, alongside what National Highways said "it's essential" that it looks like. That's not to focus on one site - they all have their quirks - it's just that this is the one NH have given a go

National Highways - who make mistakes on around 50% of the direction signs they install - have published a map of what the signposting in Rugby services should look like (their words: "it's essential")... and it's far better than what's there.

Here's 4 pictures of motorway bus stops, for people who want that

It's easy to assume being interested in service stations must mean you hate active travel. Here are 4 reasons I disagree - but sometimes you do have to hold their feet to the fire. (Context and thoughts in alt tags.)