To think there is no way that this could go wrong

[ScrambledSmegs]

JD Wetherspoons to open first motorway pub

Genius

You couldn't make it up could you?

I see it as no different to a pub on any other road. (And technically it IS on a road, not on the motorway).

Wetherspoons do a very good range of reasonably priced food and soft drinks too.

Plenty of passengers would probably enjoy an alcoholic drink during the break on their journey. It doesnt mean that the driver is going to have alcohol.

There is also less likelyhood that a driver would sit in there getting tanked up then drive, as people stop for short breaks.

There is also onsite accomodation for travellers, who would appreciate being able to have a drink with their evening meal.

Mmm. True squeaky. I'm reserving judgement, but somehow it just feels wrong to me.

Motorway driving is different to regular driving. Higher speeds, people driving longer distances, tiredness, monotony. I can imagine quite a few people, in a nice pub-type atmosphere, might be tempted to have a drink.

The only way to judge the results is of course to build the pub and see if there's an increase in alcohol-related incidents on the M40 or surrounding area. I hope not.

But yes, I agree with you on some of your points.

Service stations have bars. I don't see the difference. Other than the food will be reasonably priced.

Look at roads like the A1(M) - an old coaching road - lots of pubs (the centuries old coaching inns) some still directly on the A-road, some (now) just off. It's a long motorway, and AFAIK there's nothing implicating the pubs in accidents.

Motorways are safer than normal roads. No right of way issues, no roundabouts, very few 'turns'. Everybody traveling in the same direction. Plenty of opportunity to overtake, so lower risk taking behaviours from frustrated drivers, better visibility because they are straighter (generally) than B roads.

People who want to drink and drive will find a way to do it, no matter where they get their alcohol.

Theres a petrol garage near to the exit leading onto the major arterial road that's also a 24hour off license. Because the local council thought that was a fantastic idea despite the high number of accidents around there

I know it does sound a bit wrong. I have always been annoyed that you can't buy bottles of wine at waitrose / M&S at motorway service stations ( at least the ones I use) and have been caught out by this when trying to get a gift en route to someone's house. What do they think I am going to do, use the corkscrew I have in my car, then neck the whole thing before driving off like a loon. I could have brought one from home if I was that desperate.