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Content:
Birch
MSO Home - Services List - Birch
Moto services, M62 between J18 and J19
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Road: M62
Junction: Between J18 and J19
Operator: Moto
Location: Lancashire OL10 2HQ
Telephone: 01616 430911
Signed from the motorway? Yes
Previous operators: Taverna, Granada
Previous names: Manchester North
Services type: Two sites located between junctions, connected by an internal bridge.
Official website: Visit Birch/Moto's official website
Two services located on the main route in/out/around Manchester. In 2006 the westbound services won a four star loo award and the eastbound five stars.
Choose a section: Main Page | Location, Map & Directions
Facilities:
General: Cash Machine, Pay Phones, Local Information, Picnic Tables, Children's Play Area, Business Centre, Showers
Food/Drink: Eat & Drink Company, Burger King, Caffè Ritazza
Shopping: WH Smith, Ladbrokes, Fonebitz, Marks and Spencer Simply Food
Fuel: Esso with pumps for Unleaded, Super Unleaded and Diesel
Motel: Travelodge
Photos:
Click on a photo to view the full size. If you have one to add, contact me. It's never too late to get your name in the limelight.
 | The front of the newer westbound services. Its design was quite restricted in that the entrances and exits had to be in certain places, which is why it doesn't resemble other services from this time. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2005 by Keith Williamson. It's used under this Creative Commons |
 | Birch's older eastbound services. Photo taken whilst travelling eastbound in 2007 by Alexander P Kapp. It's used under this Creative Commons |
 | The Travelodge on the eastbound side. Photo taken whilst travelling eastbound in 2007 by Alexander P Kapp. It's used under this Creative Commons |
 | Birch westbound after the fire (see 'trivia' for more information). Until now, the westbound services were almost exactly the same as the eastbound ones. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2003 by the BBC News (I couldn't help but show it). |
 | An aerial view of the services after the fire: notice how the bridge looks as good as new. Photo taken whilst travelling westbound in 2003 by the BBC News (I couldn't help but show it). |
Trivia:
Birch is only 8 miles from the Granada studios, which doesn't mean anything today but ten years ago Granada was the operator.
The westbound amenity building was destroyed in a massive fire on the 9th October 2003. After losing large sums of cash in a slot machine, Jason New started kicking it to get his money back. He then went to the shop and bought a lighter, promptly setting fire to the machine. By one in the morning, the whole westbound side of the services were alight and evacuated. It took 70 fire-fighters four hours to bring the blaze under control.
Whilst the site was being rebuilt, temporary facilities were provided. The petrol station, motel and eastbound services were not affected but were evacuated for safety reasons.
The new services cater for 242 cars, 120 lorries and 30 coaches. When it was opened, Moto described the new building as being "the most modern on the motorway network". The parking prices seem to come with an unusual (and rather expensive) tier system which isn't heard of at most services.
Survey results:
In 2006 the westbound services won a four star loo award and the eastbound five stars.
Parking Prices:
Vehicle: | For up to 2 hours: | For up to 4 hours: | For up to 6 hours: | For up to 8 hours: | For up to 24 hours: | |
| Cars: | FREE | £10 | £15 | £20 | £35 | |
| HGVs & Carvans: | FREE | £16* | ||||
| Coaches: | FREE | £16* | ||||
* For an extra £2, the price will include a £6 meal voucher. | ||||||
Alternatives:
- Lancaster Moto services on the M6, 40 miles to the west.
- Burtonwood Welcome Break services on the M62, 20 miles to the west.
- Bolton West First services on the M61, 13 miles to the west.
- Lymm Moto/Poplar 2000 services on the M56, 28 miles to the west.
- Ferrybridge Moto services on the M62, 43 miles to the east.
- Woolley Edge Moto services on the M1, 42 miles to the east.
- Hartshead Moor Welcome Break services on the M62, 22 miles to the east.
Main Page | Location, Map & Directions
With thanks to the user 'Ziathon' for the information used on this page.