Breakdowns are never welcome, but some places are far worse than others when it comes to getting stranded. A new report from ALA Insurance has taken a detailed look at 120 lay-bys across the UK to find out which are the worst for drivers who run into trouble.
While most of us would say the worst lay-by is simply the one where your car fails, ALA has taken a more data-driven approach to identify the least convenient lay-bys using a range of criteria. These included mobile phone signal, proximity to local services, and even average weather conditions like temperature and rainfall.
Topping the list is a lay-by on the A713 in Galloway, south Scotland. Poor phone signal made it the most difficult place to call for help. In second place is lay-by 99 on the A9 southbound near Etteridge in the Scottish Highlands. While the views may be impressive, the cold and wet conditions make it a particularly unpleasant place to be stuck.
Third and fourth places go to lay-bys in Wales – one on the B4302 near Talley and another on the A483 near Gresford. In fact, every spot in the top six is in either Scotland or Wales. These include locations on the A84 in central Scotland and the A470 in south Wales.
The first entry outside of those two nations is a lay-by known as ‘SY2’ on the A44 – a road that starts in Oxfordshire but, ironically, heads back into Wales.
Rounding out the top 10 are the A57 Cutthroat Bridge lay-by in the North West, which sounds as dramatic as it is remote, and two lay-bys in the South West – one on the A37 and another on the A40.
So if you’re planning a road trip, it might be worth noting these spots – and hoping you won’t need to use them for anything more than a quick rest stop.
