Motorway Service Toilets

[LloydColeandtheCoconuts]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had gone on any long journeys recently? We're going to Wales next week and I'm thinking about toilet breaks. Are they open now? Are people using them? Are they being constantly cleaned? Will be travelling with a 5 year old and a nearly 3 year old who has just been potty training. She'll be in pull ups in the car but may want a wee along the way.
Anyway, let me know how your experiences have been. Thanks in advance

We've just done a trip (not to wales) and services are open. They have one way signs etc and are clean. Take antibac gel, maybe even dettol wipes if you feel you need to clean the loo seat/door handles more than usual.

I went a couple of weeks ago to Norton Canes services. It was fine. One way systems etc. I felt so safe I actually had a sneaky MaccyD on my return trip.

Can't speak for Wales but DH did a motorway journey at the end of May and the toilets were definitely open then - although deserted. He said there was only 1 take away cafe open though. I seem to remember googling this very question before his journey and finding a motorways website listing those open.

We had to do a long journey for funeral a month ago, up the M1. All service stations were open, with one way systems, although very quiet at that time. Just pop on a mask and anti-bac before going in, and after you come out, even if you have already washed your hands.

Service stations are pretty much fully open now (and have been open for toilets and fuel throughout). The ones I've been into have been clean and well-organised - but definitely have some alcohol gel in your car in case you have to touch anything on the way out.

Yes everything is open, clean and fine.
I did nothing that I didn't before as I always wash my hands after going to the toilet ?!
Also had a drink and some food as most tables open
I've got two young kids although neither of them needed the toilet - they refuse to use public loos anyway so wee in trees and one is in nappies but if they didn't refuse I'd happily let them use a toilet.
I wouldn't antibac anything prior because I wash my hands after using the toilet ?!

Ah great. This is all very helpful. Thank you.

I wouldn't antibac anything prior because I wash my hands after using the toilet ?!

That's to protect others from you! Same as antibacing on the way into a shop or restaurant.

My sister works at motorway services and they are classed as key workers and have to stay open. They have had a lot of extra cleaners too. I think from Friday you have to wear mask in services though.

@Baaaahhhhh

I wouldn't antibac anything prior because I wash my hands after using the toilet ?!

That's to protect others from you! Same as antibacing on the way into a shop or restaurant.

Yes. But as I've washed my hands after using the toilet, and I assume everyone else would wash their hands after using the toilet - what's the issue?

If I touch a toilet door to open and shut it, without previously washing my hands, considering it's a toilet door, and everyeone should be washing their hands after using it , anti bac is unnecessary.

If it weren't a toilet door then maybe I'd agree with you although I do believe when it comes to anti bac if you're that worried you can antibac your hands yourself.

I'm genuinely allergic to antibac gel, so whilst I'll wear a face covering for the benefit of others as it is the law , I won't be using something that makes my hands split open and bleed, for the benefit of others, when they should be washing their own hands after touching things

@caringcarer Thanks for that post. We’re off to Devon soon so will make sure to have masks in our bags rather than in the packed out boot!

I stopped at one that was quite busy and despite all the one ways plus spaced out circles on the floor to indicate where to stop when there was a build up, people were still overtaking/ getting really close. I found it stressful and pointless having the system in place. I have stopped at one in wales though and it was a lot quieter!

@yetiyoga uh oh. This was the sort of thing I was worried about

It was a bit service station though. Try not to let it put you off. I chose on the way back from that journey to stop at a smaller service station and it was much calmer.

Ah ok. Thanks

You can Google for service station alternatives. We often do this because service stations are on the whole fairly unpleasant. Obviously I'm not sure if the alternatives would be open or cleaner or less stressful, but it might be worth a Google along your journey of what other options there are that might be more preferable ?

I travelled on motorways last weekend, services all open. Very clean, one way signs

We stopped at Woodhall and wetherby services over the weekend.

Both fine. Wetherby pretty much fully open but not everything at Woodhall was. Toilets clean, hand sanitizer and impossible one way systems. I actually picked Woodhall over our usual stop off at Morrisons.

Toddington on the M1 both South and Northbound were fine - one way system in and out, markers on the floor, toilets seemed cleaner that 6 months ago but may be because the coach parties aren't using them.

It'll also depend on what time of the day you travel.

M6 & M62 open last week; little difference from normal except WHSmith closed early.

M3 yesterday - we stopped at a Welcome Break. Some food outlets open, some still closed. All very clean. Sanitizer everywhere.

Weeing in trees? ugh!