'Chill out' on the motorway

Moto says the rooms have been "well received"

Service operator Moto is launching special "contemplation rooms" for its travellers, and one of the first is at the Trowell service station off the M1.

The room is simply furnished with plain seating, white walls and subtle lighting.

The idea came from a regular driver who wanted a place to unwind away from the noise and commotion of driving.

Craig Martin, area general manager for Moto, said: "This is a fairly unique facility we are offering our customers.

"We recognise there are thousands of motorists of all different faiths travelling on the motorways.

We feel this offers them an opportunity to take time out and de-stress

Craig Martin,
Moto

"Travelling can be extremely stressful and we feel this offers them an opportunity to take time out and de-stress, as well as to practice their religions.

"The room has been very well received by the people who have been using it and the feedback has all been very positive."

BBC Radio Nottingham's Sonal Patel visited the room at Trowell, between junctions 25 and 26 on the M1.

Plastic flowers

She said: "It's not exactly what I expected... I kind of thought there would be big leather couches, sofas, coffee table... perhaps a little bit of elevator music as well.

"It is silent, completely and utterly white-walled, there's a shelf in the corner with some flowers... plastic flowers."

The room also features a Holy Bible, Koran and black arrow on the ceiling pointing to Mecca.

Steve Knights, a motorway policeman who covers 200 miles a day, said: "I would sooner walk around outside."