service stations on the m4?

Disco Boy · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:09

Hey there y'all.

Tomorrow I am taking part in a charity event which involves hitchhiking as far away from Bristol as possible in 36 hours. Our plan is to hitch to Dover and then get a ferry to France.

As I said we're starting in Bristol, we can get a lift with a friend to a nearby service station and get on a lorry across the country. Where is the nearest large truckstop? He'll probably be willing to take us to the M4, so are there any large truckstops on the M4, or the M32 near Bristol?

Cheers

[TW]Fox · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:11

Nearest is probably the M48 services beside the Severn Crossing.

On the M4 itself, isn't Delamere Services the closest to Bristol on the London bound M4?

Puzzled · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:15

Take warm clothing, going to be horrible weather tomorrow.

Might work in your favour though as people will feel sorry for you (or just laugh at you

)

Gribs · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:20

A lot of trucks won't stop for hitchers now so you're better off just looking for cars.

Disco Boy · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:23

[TW]Fox;15311467 said:
Nearest is probably the M48 services beside the Severn Crossing.

On the M4 itself, isn't Delamere Services the closest to Bristol on the London bound M4?

How big is the delamere services?

MonkeyMan said:
Take warm clothing, going to be horrible weather tomorrow.

Might work in your favour though as people will feel sorry for you (or just laugh at you )

yeah it's going to be wet...

Gribs said:
A lot of trucks won't stop for hitchers now so you're better off just looking for cars.

plan is to get them at a services... where they are stopped

[TW]Fox · 13 Nov 2009 at 20:34

Disco Boy said:
How big is the delamere services?

As big as any other Motorway services I guess?

Gribs · 13 Nov 2009 at 21:12

Disco Boy said:
plan is to get them at a services... where they are stopped

I should have probably said won't take hitch hikers at all. The last time I hitch hiked 10 years ago a couple of the truckers I got lifts with said I was less likely to get picked up as most had been banned from picking people up.

K.C. Leblanc · 13 Nov 2009 at 21:57

There's a truckstop just off J17,

http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/hidaways_truckstop_transport_cafe_lorry_park_silveys.html

The only distination you should have in mind is your final one. Don't stop at a services for the sake of it, go as far as someone is willing to take you and then go from their.

Robzere31 · 13 Nov 2009 at 22:08

Gribs said:
I should have probably said won't take hitch hikers at all. The last time I hitch hiked 10 years ago a couple of the truckers I got lifts with said I was less likely to get picked up as most had been banned from picking people up.

That's right, before I got out of the haulage game, we wen't allowed to pick up hitch-hikers for insurance reasons.

BTW if your planning on this charity event for Saturday, surley you should have planned your route a few weeks beforehand??
When we did the LATGOG run, we started planning 8 months in advance, which included stops, hotels etc.

Thomas. PLease. · 13 Nov 2009 at 22:37

Why don't you stowaway aboard a container ship leaving portbury docks.

MarkDavis · 13 Nov 2009 at 22:58

Delaware services is the nearest to Bristol. Can't remember if its on the Eastbound carriageway as well though. On the westbound side, I don't think it has a truckstop - just the shops with M&S food and the petrol station after it on the exit back onto the M4.

There are definitely services on the Eastbound side about 2 junctions after the Swindon West junction, but probably too far for you.

You haven't done a a very good recce have you?

TBH if its good weather, you don't look like a scrote and you have a big sign saying 'Sponsored Hitch Hike', I reckon quite a few non-truckies will pick you up.

oldbag · 13 Nov 2009 at 23:04

There's the Cheevley one.

jamoor · 14 Nov 2009 at 01:24

K.C. Leblanc said:
There's a truckstop just off J17,

http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/hidaways_truckstop_transport_cafe_lorry_park_silveys.html

The only distination you should have in mind is your final one. Don't stop at a services for the sake of it, go as far as someone is willing to take you and then go from their.

Ahh, I now know where they buy all the tack they stick to their trucks.

Morba · 14 Nov 2009 at 01:28

i'd be a bit careful where you go when near the Bath junctions, there are a few truck stops / parking areas that you dont want ot be caught alone!

Lum · 14 Nov 2009 at 02:35

oldbag said:
There's the Cheevley one.

Chievely services (J13, Newbury) is crap, plus as it's off the motorway, half the cars that stop for you will be going in the wrong direction, most hitchikers and trade platers I've picked up try to avoid that style of services for that reason.

Leigh Delamere (J18-19, just east of bath) and Membury (near J14 IIRC) are (IMO) the best services on that bit of the M4, that's best as in for food and not being a complete hole, thus I aim to stop at one of those. They do seem to generally be busier. I would guess that the more popular services would be the ones you're most likely to get picked up from, for example when picking up hitchers on the M1 and telling them I can only take them as far as Norton Cannes, most choose to stay where they are, or asked to be dropped off earlier than that because Norton Cannes is dreadful.

Other tips, carry a brolly. People wont stop for you out of pity if it's raining, they wont want to get their seats wet, if it rains be sure it's obvious that you're not drenched. Likewise don't look dirty and definitely don't look like a tramp. It'll probably help if you don't smell either, people will be more likely to go out of the way for you if you don't leave them wanting rid of you ASAP. Carry a small whiteboard of some sort (or cardboard at a push) and some marker pens so you can make a sign saying where you are trying to go.

This is just stuff that hitchers and trade platers have told me. I've never actually hitched myself.

Scania · 14 Nov 2009 at 02:45

Disco Boy said:
plan is to get them at a services... where they are stopped

Where you can expect to be told to **** off!

Most HGV insurers insist on no passengers (some even exclude employees of the insured company!) Traffic Police are well aware of this and will stop HGV's with passengers.

All Stobart Group vehicles are not allowed passengers for example.

Good luck anyway mate, enjoy the weather!