Having just read the Orwell Crossing article i thought i would ask why drivers are not using the facility which is never more than 60% full.
Orwell Crossing website
Its a great truck stop and the showers are first class but its to far out the way, the only people really passing it are on the way to Felixstowe and its free and about as safe as it gets down there so its wasted money.
The food, its awfull, and expensive, either be cheap or be decent. I wouldnt park there as I’m based in Felixstowe but I live in Norfolk and stay in my truck if I’m in the yard, so I might have taken to sometimes stopping tea or even jogging back over there in my car for tea, but any time I have gone in there for food I was less than in inpressed. Expensive and ranging from cool to cold.
Showers are good, but we’ve got one inn our yard
My Take on the O/C Lorry Park
Parking = Loads of it
Security = 4/5
Location (For box jockeys) = 5/5
Showers = 5/5
Staff Friendliness / Customer Service = 2/5
Prices 2/5
Quality 1/5 (Sometimes)
I think the O/C Lorry park is too expensive, the food is ridiculous prices (Last time I was there it was £6.50 for a burger and chips, costing another 60p for cheese and another 60p for some soggy onions and £1.50 for a drink)
I know this place has big overheads but it is a numbers game, if you want to fill the spaces, adjust the price to a reasonable price, they are competing with Tesco at Ipswich with a free lorry park and many free parking areas in / near the docks
I dont pass this place any more but if I did, I would give it a miss after my last experiences (used to visit every day) after being served a rubbish burger (After they ran out and put some cheaper ones on instead) and many cold breakfasts at 9am!
Original Complaint Post including Karl’s Response forum.truckersworld.co.uk/viewto … 16&t=19895
showers are 1st CLASS.
But you can`t charge a shower to a SNAP account or get a meal voucher. Showers cost £3■■? worth it but I got no money because Im a poor trucker.
Poor three 3g signal plus poor WIFI.
Plus free to use ATM.
With that article then close it!!! no love lost.
Saaamon:
Its a great truck stop and the showers are first class but its to far out the way, the only people really passing it are on the way to Felixstowe and its free and about as safe as it gets down there so its wasted money.
you sure about that?
loads of place free to park in and around felixstowe?
How much do they charge for an overnight stop? I have to be honest, I am very surprised that they haven’t made any profit in all the time they’ve been open. Something is badly amiss with their business plan somewhere… 
Rob K:
How much do they charge for an overnight stop? I have to be honest, I am very surprised that they haven’t made any profit in all the time they’ve been open. Something is badly amiss with their business plan somewhere…
IIRC, it is in the region of £15
shuttlespanker:
Rob K:
How much do they charge for an overnight stop? I have to be honest, I am very surprised that they haven’t made any profit in all the time they’ve been open. Something is badly amiss with their business plan somewhere…IIRC, it is in the region of £15
How many spaces?
Quite a lot over 100 anyway.
Fast food joints in the states just totally own the offerings over here which are in the main woeful. I appreciate food is probably cheaper over there but you’ve only got to watch man v food with Adam Richmond to see what they can do with pretty simple good quality food. If they had the food right, at a mid range to top range price, people would come surely.
Reputation.
Sausages need meat in them!
I’ve never stopped there but have driven past a few times & seemed busy enough to me.
may be the owner of Orwell crossing should have a run up to the red lion at Northampton and see how it should be done .
Silver_Surfer:
Fast food joints in the states just totally own the offerings over here which are in the main woeful…
I think you’ll find Burger King is owned by Grand Metropolitan, a British company 
If they had the food right, at a mid range to top range price, people would come surel
From my experience they trying to charge top pricing, well for roadside eating, but not supplying top quality food, or at least it might be decent before they get they’re hands on it.
I believe they have quite alot operator reserved spaces, when those motors are in for the night, thats a space filled were the driver most likely will have gone home, and not eaten in
shuttlespanker:
Saaamon:
Its a great truck stop and the showers are first class but its to far out the way, the only people really passing it are on the way to Felixstowe and its free and about as safe as it gets down there so its wasted money.you sure about that?
I’ve never paid down at the docks, either at langard or on oysterbed rd
damionp:
shuttlespanker:
Saaamon:
Its a great truck stop and the showers are first class but its to far out the way, the only people really passing it are on the way to Felixstowe and its free and about as safe as it gets down there so its wasted money.you sure about that?
I’ve never paid down at the docks, either at langard or on oysterbed rd
Lorry park near police station
I know it says no parking but always 10+ lorries parked up there, even seen a local takeaway deliver to trucks in there
Just seen this poster at Orwell 28th -29th September for Gathering of the Griffin a little truck meet for Scania’s run by Rob 07903155898 or gotg37@hotmail.com Sad to find out I missed the Eastcoast Truckers Crowfield truck Rally a couple of weeks ago which was a great success, I was told and they raised £2500.00 for the “blood bikers” I may ring Rob in the morning to see if I can sneak in just to see Simon Wasp sing “On the trail of the lonesome pine” on the Karaoke.
Simon is on Orwells facebook page and so is the owner carl and hell has he lost some weight, 11 stone and that seems to be why the drivers I talked to tonight think he won’t be around for long
the flying foden:
may be the owner of Orwell crossing should have a run up to the red lion at Northampton and see how it should be done .
Carl took your advice and stopped in at the Red Lion on Wednesday night on the way back from Stafford. He did not comment but had a sandwich and smiled when the server walked through the kitchen door and shouted at the top of his voice “2056 Sausage Sandwich” Carl asked “why are all the Lorries parked on the road?” When the parking out the back was mostly empty, Richard a Turners driver said I’m not paying if I don’t have to. It’s the same all over.
I hear C4 are doing a film from here about drivers lives and what they have to put up with.
tompadua:
the flying foden:
may be the owner of Orwell crossing should have a run up to the red lion at Northampton and see how it should be done .Carl took your advice and stopped in at the Red Lion on Wednesday night on the way back from Stafford. He did not comment but had a sandwich and smiled when the server walked through the kitchen door and shouted at the top of his voice “2056 Sausage Sandwich” Carl asked “why are all the Lorries parked on the road?” When the parking out the back was mostly empty, Richard a Turners driver said I’m not paying if I don’t have to. It’s the same all over.
I hear C4 are doing a film from here about drivers lives and what they have to put up with.
When did he stop there dinner time. Ever time I stop there if your not there before 8 pm your not getting in.
tompadua:
the flying foden:
may be the owner of Orwell crossing should have a run up to the red lion at Northampton and see how it should be done .Carl took your advice and stopped in at the Red Lion on Wednesday night on the way back from Stafford. He did not comment but had a sandwich and smiled when the server walked through the kitchen door and shouted at the top of his voice “2056 Sausage Sandwich” Carl asked “why are all the Lorries parked on the road?” When the parking out the back was mostly empty, Richard a Turners driver said I’m not paying if I don’t have to. It’s the same all over.
I hear C4 are doing a film from here about drivers lives and what they have to put up with.
Strange as I drive for Turners and they pay parking upto £15 I use it all the time even if I have to add to it.