Motorhome owners are outstaying their welcome

[abforfun]

They should have 5 dedicated bays only for motorhoners/campervans .
PAID £10 for 24hrs
Max stay 48hrs

No more problems

Sounds about right

 

[Millsy's]

Not sure if this has been posted but, according to Wales Online, the locals are getting upset about vans using the free parking at Burry Port Harbour.

“Motorhomes have descended on our town once again, selfishly taking up most of the seafront parking spaces on the harbour’s east side and Pembrey Old Harbour car park, depriving local people, visitors, the elderly and disabled, of the very limited car parking spaces available."

“We are told that some motorhomes are parked up for days on end. Residents feel that permanent signs must be erected in our car parks to stop overnight parking by these vehicles. Such measures have already been introduced in Pembrokeshire, due to similar problems, where fines have been imposed for non-compliance."

“There are good quality sites in the vicinity which provide facilities for touring motorhomes and more should be done to persuade them to use these serviced sites. Carmarthenshire County Council must now take the necessary action to deal with this problem before it gets out of hand, causing unnecessary animosity, as it did during the summer of last year.”

Motorhomes are using free coastal car parks as unofficial holiday sites

They get fantastic sea views without the cost of a pitch

www.walesonline.co.uk

One must bear in mind that Wales online is a politically bias anti everything organisation and is notorious for its bad reporting , so I personally would not read to much into this report.

 

[nicholsong]

I am just pondering about all of the people who do not want to pay for campsites, go about waste disposal, Grey Black and dry waste, plus filling up with fresh water. They must either take very short breaks or have very large tanks !!

Oh, another poster who believes the reason that people do not go on campsites is that they do not want to pay. In our case that is very wrong, as the reason is that we do not like crowds and regimentation. Also we want to choose our own views.

Now to answer some of your questions -

Often in the UK we have solved all of the questions, i.e. Grey/Black/Fresh by calling in at a small private campsite in the day and offering to pay a fee for using their services and moving on for the night - some offered it for free or a charity contribution. One of the clubs offers this facility for a fee.

For 'Fresh' in UK, airfields, commercial estates, fishing harbours and garages where you are filling diesel, are usually open to a request to fill - a contribution to the Christmas fund is appropriate.

'Grey' can go down road run-off drains, as it is no more polluting than road run-off with oil and diesel spillage, or onto grassland where there is no water-course.

'Black' - we carry 2 cassettes. Theses can be emptied at remote toilets at quiet times, alternatively we carry sewer manhole keys where the contents join the same sewer as the local disposal(take care to identify the manhole - ones immediately outside toilet blocks give a clue.) In remote places and away from roads and water-courses we have a shovel for the 'Boy Scout' method - sheep and cattle and other animals. do not have shovels! This method used twice in Scotland in 10 years.

So, Joe and Sue I hope this satisfies your curiosity about methods and maybe encourages you to use some of them to attain more freedom.

The other method is to leave the UK for MHoming and go to the Continent where there are loads of facilities for these services. The Questions do not arise there.

Geoff

 

[Eggs]

Oh, another poster who believes the reason that people do not go on campsites is that they do not want to pay. In our case that is very wrong, as the reason is that we do not like crowds and regimentation. Also we want to choose our own views.

Now to answer some of your questions -

Often in the UK we have solved all of the questions, i.e. Grey/Black/Fresh by calling in at a small private campsite in the day and offering to pay a fee for using their services and moving on for the night - some offered it for free or a charity contribution. One of the clubs offers this facility for a fee.

For 'Fresh' in UK, airfields, commercial estates, fishing harbours and garages where you are filling diesel, are usually open to a request to fill - a contribution to the Christmas fund is appropriate.

'Grey' can go down road run-off drains, as it is no more polluting than road run-off with oil and diesel spillage, or onto grassland where there is no water-course.

'Black' - we carry 2 cassettes. Theses can be emptied at remote toilets at quiet times, alternatively we carry sewer manhole keys where the contents join the same sewer as the local disposal(take care to identify the manhole - ones immediately outside toilet blocks give a clue.) In remote places and away from roads and water-courses we have a shovel for the 'Boy Scout' method - sheep and cattle and other animals. do not have shovels! This method used twice in Scotland in 10 years.

So, Joe and Sue I hope this satisfies your curiosity about methods and maybe encourages you to use some of them to attain more freedom.

The other method is to leave the UK for MHoming and go to the Continent where there are loads of facilities for these services. The Questions do not arise there.

Geoff

One of these comes in handy if you are fulltiming in the UK.

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[nicholsong]

This post is concentrating on 'welcome' in the thread title.

We have just returned from 3 weeks MHoming on a Greek island. There are no campsites of any description on the island - one that existed close 9 years ago, so discussion of FLT does not apply.

So we wildcamped in 2-3 places, moving every 3-4 days.

We were welcomed everywhere in the following ways

Tavernas offering us use of toilets and water.

A spear-fisherman giving us fish on 3 occasions and sitting with us for drinks.

A smallholder stopping by the MH and giving us a crate of veg, water melon and melon.

Although I have have been to the island many times in the last 43 years, including 30 years on my sailing boat and know many people, only one of the people above were people who knew me.

What a contrast to some places in UK!

Our MH is now parked there and I personally cannot wait to get back there in September.

Geoff

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[scally]

Let me re-write the original quote for accuracy.

"People in motorhomes are ruining the view for those of us who want to park our cars there and enjoy a sandwich and a thermos of stewed tea, by parking there in their motorhomes, enjoying a proper lunch and a fresh brew. This is obviously completely unfair and so should be stopped." Ann Greegit - Wales.

My question is why should the vehicle and quality of the tea have any bearing on occupyng this position on the sea front ? Surely its first come first served,unless restrictions apply.

 

[Jim]

What a contrast to some places in UK!

What a contrast to some places in Greece!

 

[tinks703]

Parked up yesterday by a local loch for cuppa, while walking the dog noticed a sign on a tree ( overnight camping tents £10 campervans£15 ) fees payable to local laird collected by the ranger. No facilities not even a rubbish bin.
The layby is maintained by Scottish borders council whom I pay rates too.

 

[Landy Andy]

Unfair to charge more for a van than a tent.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Unfair to charge more for a van than a tent.

Is it?
Why?

I'd have thought the weight difference between a tent [even a large one] & a motorhome alone might explain the difference

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[pandas]

Oh, another poster who believes the reason that people do not go on campsites is that they do not want to pay. In our case that is very wrong, as the reason is that we do not like crowds and regimentation. Also we want to choose our own views.

Now to answer some of your questions -

Often in the UK we have solved all of the questions, i.e. Grey/Black/Fresh by calling in at a small private campsite in the day and offering to pay a fee for using their services and moving on for the night - some offered it for free or a charity contribution. One of the clubs offers this facility for a fee.

For 'Fresh' in UK, airfields, commercial estates, fishing harbours and garages where you are filling diesel, are usually open to a request to fill - a contribution to the Christmas fund is appropriate.

'Grey' can go down road run-off drains, as it is no more polluting than road run-off with oil and diesel spillage, or onto grassland where there is no water-course.

'Black' - we carry 2 cassettes. Theses can be emptied at remote toilets at quiet times, alternatively we carry sewer manhole keys where the contents join the same sewer as the local disposal(take care to identify the manhole - ones immediately outside toilet blocks give a clue.) In remote places and away from roads and water-courses we have a shovel for the 'Boy Scout' method - sheep and cattle and other animals. do not have shovels! This method used twice in Scotland in 10 years.

So, Joe and Sue I hope this satisfies your curiosity about methods and maybe encourages you to use some of them to attain more freedom.

The other method is to leave the UK for MHoming and go to the Continent where there are loads of facilities for these services. The Questions do not arise there.

Geoff

As you set the tone with your last paragraph; couple of observations: some run off drains go directly into rivers/streams and potentially harm the environment, ditto particularly with burying of black waste. Public toilets are not designed to accommodate the emptying of toilet cassettes. Most of the land in UK is 'owned' albeit a local authority, or privately and one should not assume you have a right to roam, pitch/camp without permission. I recall back in the 50's you could roam, camp almost anywhere in the New Forest - what would be left for future generations were there now not some sort of control in place. 'No man is an island' John Donne.

 

[Landy Andy]

Is it?
Why?

I'd have thought the weight difference between a tent [even a large one] & a motorhome alone might explain the difference

What has the weight got to do with it?
Should heavier people pay more?

A tent will normally arrive by car, and then put a tent up, so take twice the amount of room. Tents damage the grass more. Also tents often have more people in them. I would have thought charging the same would have been fairer.

 

[nicholsong]

As you set the tone with your last paragraph; couple of observations: some run off drains go directly into rivers/streams and potentially harm the environment, ditto particularly with burying of black waste. Public toilets are not designed to accommodate the emptying of toilet cassettes. Most of the land in UK is 'owned' albeit a local authority, or privately and one should not assume you have a right to roam, pitch/camp without permission. I recall back in the 50's you could roam, camp almost anywhere in the New Forest - what would be left for future generations were there now not some sort of control in place. 'No man is an island' John Donne.

My last paragraph referred to MHoming on the continent, but I cannot see how a last paragraph can 'set the tone', which I always understood to refer to what follows.

As I pointed out, run-off drains accomodate oil/diesel/tyre residue etc and I think shower/sink water is less harmful wherever it is directed.

Nature deals with 'black waste' of many species. Farmers spread it and people eat the resultant crops/milk etc.

Toilets of any ownership are designed to accept human waste - 'U-bend' design deals with the quantity.

I never mentioned pitching on owned land with/without permission.

Geoff

 

[Otter Spotter]

There is a CLUE in the title. CAR PARK
Car parks were not designed for Motorhomes or camper vans, the few that made provision have large bays.
If motorhomes only parked overnight on "Camping" sites then they probably would be full up, if they were full up i bet more would open up.

That’s probably because ‘Motorhomes’ didn’t exist when the car park was set up.

 

[Minxy]

This post is concentrating on 'welcome' in the thread title.

We have just returned from 3 weeks MHoming on a Greek island. There are no campsites of any description on the island - one that existed close 9 years ago, so discussion of FLT does not apply.

So we wildcamped in 2-3 places, moving every 3-4 days.

We were welcomed everywhere in the following ways

Tavernas offering us use of toilets and water.

A spear-fisherman giving us fish on 3 occasions and sitting with us for drinks.

A smallholder stopping by the MH and giving us a crate of veg, water melon and melon.

Although I have have been to the island many times in the last 43 years, including 30 years on my sailing boat and know many people, only one of the people above were people who knew me.

What a contrast to some places in UK!

Our MH is now parked there and I personally cannot wait to get back there in September.

Geoff

I've sussed you out Geoff ... they're making another 'Mamma Mia' film and you're playing the role of the ex-wandering sailor!

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[pandas]

My last paragraph referred to MHoming on the continent, but I cannot see how a last paragraph can 'set the tone', which I always understood to refer to what follows.

As I pointed out, run-off drains accomodate oil/diesel/tyre residue etc and I think shower/sink water is less harmful wherever it is directed.

Nature deals with 'black waste' of many species. Farmers spread it and people eat the resultant crops/milk etc.

Toilets of any ownership are designed to accept human waste - 'U-bend' design deals with the quantity.

I never mentioned pitching on owned land with/without permission.

Geoff

Many personal assumptions here - not in my view sustainable arguments. For example cows are not Carnivores. Public toilet facilities are for personal use not a dumping a 2 or 3 days collective black waste. Oil deisel tyre residue not sure in the twenty first century that is relevant and promoting two bads doesn't make it right. So sorry not convinced. Interested to hear where you manage to choose your 'own views' without encroachment on other peoples property but I suspect as is usual a personal secret.

 

[Paulypaul]

And this is the problem. Pay50 to 100 k for a MH. But refuse to pay 25 quid for a site. Eventually we will be banned from everywhere.

But isn't having "motor"home part of the attraction to owning one of these types of vehicles? just so we are able to park up wherever the fancy takes us, providing we are not breaking any laws and that we respect our surroundings?
By that I refer to not parking up in a panel van and dumping waste of all colours indiscriminately wherever possible?

Surely based on the design of motorhomes and being self sufficient, being able to park in varying locations was what these vehicles were intended for?

If people insist on motorhomes having to use campsites then surely it would be pointless owning one and we may as well get a caravan and plot up in a site for the duration?

Then the locals and wokes will be crying about the volume of cars from the campsites blocking up the streets and taking all the best parking spots?

The fact that we have to pay road tax just as anyone else surely allows us to use the highways just as anyone else does, as long as its done legally of course.

Its a weak arguement from locals who think they've bought the view... again.

 

[The Lord Squid]

For example cows are not Carnivores.

Neither am I. I don't follow your argument. Are you suggesting that my vegetarian egestions are less obnoxious than those of a carnivore?

 

[pandas]

But isn't having "motor"home part of the attraction to owning one of these types of vehicles? just so we are able to park up wherever the fancy takes us, providing we are not breaking any laws and that we respect our surroundings?
By that I refer to not parking up in a panel van and dumping waste of all colours indiscriminately wherever possible?

Surely based on the design of motorhomes and being self sufficient, being able to park in varying locations was what these vehicles were intended for?

If people insist on motorhomes having to use campsites then surely it would be pointless owning one and we may as well get a caravan and plot up in a site for the duration?

Then the locals and wokes will be crying about the volume of cars from the campsites blocking up the streets and taking all the best parking spots?

The fact that we have to pay road tax just as anyone else surely allows us to use the highways just as anyone else does, as long as its done legally of course.

Its a weak arguement from locals who think they've bought the view... again.

Not sure you understand the deference between a caravan and a Motorhome.
I can buy a performance car but cannot drive it to it’s true potential unless on a race track.
One of the main conciderations for buying a property is the the location so I can see why they might be miffed if others are taking an advantage.

 

[phase3begins]

I think we are being unfair to assume motorhomers are deliberately parking in the wrong places. I think it is down to illiteracy. Three of the 4 PASSING places on a local 1 mile road are being used as PARKING places by motorhomes. I’m sure its down to such confusing signs.

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[Paulypaul]

Not sure you understand the deference between a caravan and a Motorhome.
I can buy a performance car but cannot drive it to it’s true potential unless on a race track.
One of the main conciderations for buying a property is the the location so I can see why they might be miffed if others are taking an advantage.

I do actually understand the "difference" having owned both a caravan and a motorhome. Aren't most cars not used to their potential? A Corsa will do 100mph but you can't legally do that so I don't get that arguement, sorry?
Yes I understand that property purchase is largely governed by location, but I think you will find that in the deeds of a majority of houses there isn't any reference to "you also own the view".

 

[nicholsong]

Many personal assumptions here - not in my view sustainable arguments. For example cows are not Carnivores. Public toilet facilities are for personal use not a dumping a 2 or 3 days collective black waste. Oil deisel tyre residue not sure in the twenty first century that is relevant and promoting two bads doesn't make it right. So sorry not convinced. Interested to hear where you manage to choose your 'own views' without encroachment on other peoples property but I suspect as is usual a personal secret.

Europe

 

[gus-lopez]

Unfair to charge more for a van than a tent.

What's the tent doing in a layby?

Public toilets are not designed to accommodate the emptying of toilet cassettes.

No different to those who stand on them using them? Well it is , the cassette emptier makes less mess .

 

[VXman]

3 years ago parking for 6 hours here in Brighton cost 'from £27.45'.
My son uses that large town centre car park regularly and it's nearly always full by 10 o'clock.

View attachment 514323

Lovely campsite down behind the marina and then use the bikes to cycle into town.

 

[Minxy]

And this is the problem. Pay50 to 100 k for a MH. But refuse to pay 25 quid for a site. Eventually we will be banned from everywhere.

I don't agree, you could similarly state that those who only pay a small amount for their MHs have more money left to be able to pay for sites.

Using sites is completely different to wild parking, wild camping, off-grid parking, or whatever you want to call it. Even when we had some vouchers that meant we only paid £1 a night for a very good site we quit it early as it was just too much like being in a gold-fish bowl and we haven't used one for years with no wish to do so unless we really have to.

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[Ivory55]

But isn't having "motor"home part of the attraction to owning one of these types of vehicles? just so we are able to park up wherever the fancy takes us, providing we are not breaking any laws and that we respect our surroundings?
By that I refer to not parking up in a panel van and dumping waste of all colours indiscriminately wherever possible?

Surely based on the design of motorhomes and being self sufficient, being able to park in varying locations was what these vehicles were intended for?

If people insist on motorhomes having to use campsites then surely it would be pointless owning one and we may as well get a caravan and plot up in a site for the duration?

Then the locals and wokes will be crying about the volume of cars from the campsites blocking up the streets and taking all the best parking spots?

The fact that we have to pay road tax just as anyone else surely allows us to use the highways just as anyone else does, as long as its done legally of course.

Its a weak arguement from locals who think they've bought the view... again.

The view I think depends. If the local council is charging the houses or flat etc astronomical council tax because of where they are , and are using the income to fund local services, I I think those paying the tax have a say in their view.

 

[Landy Andy]

Parked up yesterday by a local loch for cuppa, while walking the dog noticed a sign on a tree ( overnight camping tents £10 campervans£15 ) fees payable to local laird collected by the ranger. No facilities not even a rubbish bin

What's the tent doing in a layby?

No different to those who stand on them using them? Well it is , the cassette emptier makes less mess .

Don’t ask me. It’s what he said.

 

[Paulypaul]

The view I think depends. If the local council is charging the houses or flat etc astronomical council tax because of where they are , and are using the income to fund local services, I I think those paying the tax have a say in their view.

No, don't agree I'm afraid. We have no right to the view. Sure, if your neighbour wants to build a massive extension and it will impose on your light or block your windows then yes, you have a right to object.

But if you live somewhere that has a public right of way or a road system around it, then really you haven't got any right to object against anyone who uses, or frequents that area, if they are doing it in a completely legal manner, regardless of how much council tax you pay?

It's rather like saying that you don't like white cars parking in the road outside your house cause the colour offends you? Or someone moves into a property next to a haulage yard then complains to the council about the lorries going in and out?

Let's face it, you'd have to be pretty lucky if you did live in a property with sea views and an unobstructed view. After all, isn't it the councils who received the council tax who create parking spaces along seafronts etc?

 

[tribalbrit]

I don't agree, you could similarly state that those who only pay a small amount for their MHs have more money left to be able to pay for sites.

Using sites is completely different to wild parking, wild camping, off-grid parking, or whatever you want to call it. Even when we had some vouchers that meant we only paid £1 a night for a very good site we quit it early as it was just too much like being in a gold-fish bowl and we haven't used one for years with no wish to do so unless we really have to.

I have no problem with parking off grid. I do it myself or pub car parks etc.
I live in a touristy village, the other day when taking the dog for a walk I saw two MHs parked up on the grass verge next to signs saying. Don't park on the grass verge.
My local pub has MHs pull in the car park and stay the night without enquiring if they can, nor use the pub for even a drink.
It is this irisponsibe behaviour that will eventually bring more and more restrictions upon us.
Many MH owners are responsible people but many are not.

 

[Ivory55]

No, don't agree I'm afraid. We have no right to the view. Sure, if your neighbour wants to build a massive extension and it will impose on your light or block your windows then yes, you have a right to object.

But if you live somewhere that has a public right of way or a road system around it, then really you haven't got any right to object against anyone who uses, or frequents that area, if they are doing it in a completely legal manner, regardless of how much council tax you pay?

It's rather like saying that you don't like white cars parking in the road outside your house cause the colour offends you? Or someone moves into a property next to a haulage yard then complains to the council about the lorries going in and out?

Let's face it, you'd have to be pretty lucky if you did live in a property with sea views and an unobstructed view. After all, isn't it the councils who received the council tax who create parking spaces along seafronts etc?

Ok let’s not give a #### about anything then motorhome has freedom to do what they want when they want. Does that include a pop up rally on a village green by certain people.

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