Rivington services is a motorway service area in Anderton, Lancashire, England, situated between junctions 6 and 8 of the M61 (there is no junction 7). It is operated by EG On the Move.

Rivington services
Rivington services when they were operated by First Motorway Services under the name 'Bolton West'
Rivington services is located in Lancashire
Rivington services
Rivington services
Location within Lancashire
Rivington services is located in the Borough of Chorley
Rivington services
Rivington services
Rivington services (the Borough of Chorley)
Information
CountyLancashire
RoadM61
Coordinates:53°36′02″N 2°34′23″W / 53.6005°N 2.5730°W / 53.6005; -2.5730
OperatorEG On the Move
Previous operator(s)Kenning Motor Group, Rank, Pavilion (formerly Granada) and First Motorway Services
Previous name(s)Anderton services; Rivington services; Bolton West services
Date opened14 October 1971
Websiteeg-otm.com

History

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Construction

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Built in 1971, under the original name of Anderton Services, they were later renamed Rivington Services, and then Bolton West Services.

The site was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on the same day she opened the Pennine section of the M62, Thursday 14 October 1971. The Queen had left London from Euston railway station to travel to Huddersfield railway station. After the opening, the Queen caught the British Royal Train at Leyland railway station, spending around 45 minutes at the services, as well as unveiling a plaque.[1] At launch, both sides had petrol, but only the westbound side had catering.

Name change

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In July 2009, Bolton West services was acquired by Blackburn based Euro Garages, and renamed back to Rivington services.[2] After years of criticism, during which it was dubbed the worst service station in the country, plans were made to demolish the existing buildings and replace them with a smaller main building, as well as petrol station and other facilities.[3][4] By July 2011, Euro Garages had completed their £12.3 million project in refurbishing the site, and would later reopen and operate the former Travelodge site as Rivington Lodge.[5][6]

At somepoint in 2024, Rivington services came under control of EG On the Move.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Heywood Advertiser Friday 20 August 1971, page 12
  2. ^ Feddy, Kevin (26 July 2011). "Euro Garages completes £12.3m Rivington Services revamp". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  3. ^ Bolton West services - dubbed worst in Britain - to be given an overhaul. The Bolton News. Published 26 October 2009.
  4. ^ Spring revamp for M61 Bolton West services. The Bolton News. Published 21 January 2010.
  5. ^ "£12.3m rebuild of Lancashire service station complete". Lancashire Telegraph. 26 July 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
  6. ^ "Rivington North named 2nd Best in the UK". www.eg.group. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  7. ^ "EG On The Move". eg-otm.com. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
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