On the way back from a Blackpool Illuminations trip last week, I stopped at Rivington services on the M61 (southbound). My passengers went to the front door of the services building only to find it locked. They saw a small notice on the door that said that the doors are locked at 2300hrs and customers should go round the back to the door by the fuel pumps.
There is no signed route to this area. They followed the footpath towards the pumps, but the path ended with a small grass/mud bank before you could get to the paved area. My passengers stepped up on to it but one of them slipped on the grass and fell into the mud. She hurt her wrists and got mud all over her trousers.
I tried to report the incident to the person behind the till in the Spar shop. He was not interested so I asked him to make an entry in the site accident book. He said they did not have one. I asked to see the duty manager and he said that the manager only worked up to 1800hrs. I asked who was in charge and he just shrugged his shoulders.
While I was speaking to him, another coach came in and one of their passengers did exactly the same and also hurt his wrists and got mud on his trousers.
Please warn other drivers and operators that this site is dangerous and, certainly after 2300hrs, should be avoided.
Julie Aylward, Ridings Travel
