Its probably not paid for out of the govt roads budget, but by the firms running the service & fuel stations. That and the high govt charges for them being there at all make them think they can justify the huge premium on fuel prices at such outlets (besides the 'captive audience' of people who 'forget' to fill up beforehand in cheaper filling stations, or don't check the PetrolPrices website to see if a filling station just off the motorway is about 10p a litre cheaper).

Edited by Engineer Andy on 19/04/2016 at 14:21

The most useful thing about a Petrol/Services motorway sign is that you can plan your urgent comfort breaks. That is-of course- if the petrol stop is a service area.

It's a separate issue I know- but I find the whole experience/atmosphere of a service area to be foul in the extreme. Of course there are rare exceptions-but every blinking retail trick is usually applied to ensure the consumer is wasting their money ( who on earth buys those stupid chewable toothbrush balls and why do people need condoms in service areas?). I feel sorry for the staff, the food is usually dire and the standard of cleanliness-all round- is questionable.