Parking consequences

[ericonabike]

Feeling curious - there is a lot of discussion on here and elsewhere about which car parks do or don't allow sleeping in vehicles overnight. I've seen folk being afraid of "a knock on the door". But realistically, it's a civil offence, in the same way as other parking misdemeanours. And so you'll get a ticket, which is I believe is generally £60, reduced to £30 if paid promptly.
Strikes me that potentially having to pay £30 on top of the parking fee may not be a bad deal for a really convenient location. Anyone actually received a ticket for "unauthorised sleeping"?

 

[PaulC70]

Feeling curious - there is a lot of discussion on here and elsewhere about which car parks do or don't allow sleeping in vehicles overnight. I've seen folk being afraid of "a knock on the door". But realistically, it's a civil offence, in the same way as other parking misdemeanours. And so you'll get a ticket, which is I believe is generally £60, reduced to £30 if paid promptly.
Strikes me that potentially having to pay £30 on top of the parking fee may not be a bad deal for a really convenient location. Anyone actually received a ticket for "unauthorised sleeping"?

Never got a ticket (yet) but youre right, I've always been of the opinion that if I wanted to have good access to a certain place / event mainly due to wifes mobility issues, I'd be prepared to pay a fine that doesn't exceed £25-30

 

[BusyBuilder]

Well it's cheaper than some campsites.

 

[Bonsaiman]

Lets add some more ammunition to the we hate motorhomers shall we

Imagine the screen in Council meeting, "Look we put up no overnight parking signs and they ignored them and still did it, we fined them and still they did it, so right let's fettle um, put up a height restrictor, that'll stop the buggers"

So we lose another daytime parking area and the motorhome fraternity get labelled anti social, selfish, entitled, etc etc etc

Why antagonise these people!

Great idea.................... Not

 

[Northernraider]

Lets add some more ammunition to the we hate motorhomers shall we

Imagine the screen in Council meeting, "Look we put up no overnight parking signs and they ignored them and still did it, we fined them and still they did it, so right let's fettle um, put up a height restrictor, that'll stop the buggers"

So we lose another daytime parking area and the motorhome fraternity get labelled anti social, selfish, entitled, etc etc etc

Why antagonise these people!

Great idea.................... Not

I'm of the other approach

Everytime a council bans motorhomes from carparks and puts up height barriers we should turn up in our hundreds and block the carpark or drive slowly down the street causing chaos.


Like the farmers or French lorry drivers


But nah its good old blighty where everyone just says " why antagonise these people "

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[Tonks]

Lets add some more ammunition to the we hate motorhomers shall we

Imagine the screen in Council meeting, "Look we put up no overnight parking signs and they ignored them and still did it, we fined them and still they did it, so right let's fettle um, put up a height restrictor, that'll stop the buggers"

So we lose another daytime parking area and the motorhome fraternity get labelled anti social, selfish, entitled, etc etc etc

Why antagonise these people!

Great idea.................... Not

Yep, that is pretty much EXACTLY what happened just down the road from my Dad on the south coast. People ignored (and blatantly ignored the no overnighting signs ie. left toys, junk, barbecues outside their vans overnight, and parked them right in the middle of the space), DESPITE there being places they WERE allowed to park overnight very close by.
The anti-motorhome feeling in the area built and built, and now there are height barriers up on some of the car parks, and in the main sea front ones without barriers there are now restrictions against motorhomes (which, in their posted T&Cs means 'ANY vehicle adapted for sleeping') parking at ANY time of the day or night. So this means that as well as stopping overnighting, those selfish people who just HAVE to do as they like, regardless of others, have now successfully managed to get MH/campers banned 24/7. Great job, guys.

 

[Jim]

those selfish people who just HAVE to do as they like, regardless of others

Proper FLT's, we should round them up and give Gus permission to shoot them

 

[jerryz]

Thing is its not really Motorhomers that are the problem mostly .......

For instance there is a group of ''Traveller'' types mostly of Irish extraction ,, who have been running amok in KENT SUSSEX HAMPSHIRE and WILTSHIRE for last 4 months robbing farms of machinery and livestock, Motorcycles and cars from all over , robbing tradesmen of their tools , burglaries , violence & threats , mobbing pubs, illegal hunting and hare coursing , stealing electric roadside , and the Police in all the forces know who is responsible , Hampshire police actually mounted a big operation against them involving 110 officers 2 helicopters, ariel drones etc over a 4 week period ... But the Itinerants evaded it all or just smash through the cops who have now decided they are too dangerous to confront and arrest . And that does not include illegal parking , camping etc ,, they use JCBs to remove parking barriers, height restrictors and berms in carparks , farms etc .... ITV actually put it on their regional news broadcast 3 days ago its show police being out manouvered or just overwhelmed by the bastards ,, We are probably tarred with same brush by some councils

 

[jockaneezer]

If you're of the mindset that you're gonna park there anyway and risk a fine, why even bother buying a parking ticket at all ?

 

[Googlebot]

It’s not the knock and fine that bother me, it’s getting woken up or having the hassle of moving, I couldn’t be arsed so just stop where I won’t be asked to shift.

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[steve69]

Lets add some more ammunition to the we hate motorhomers shall we

Imagine the screen in Council meeting, "Look we put up no overnight parking signs and they ignored them and still did it, we fined them and still they did it, so right let's fettle um, put up a height restrictor, that'll stop the buggers

The car parks in Wales are well ahead of you there mate.

 

[iandsm]

I'm of the other approach

Everytime a council bans motorhomes from carparks and puts up height barriers we should turn up in our hundreds and block the carpark or drive slowly down the street causing chaos.


Like the farmers or French lorry drivers


But nah its good old blighty where everyone just says " why antagonise these people "

Well you start the protest and drive slowly along the road and then all you have to do is look in your mirrors at the other motorhomes trailing behind. Of course you won't be able to park anywhere to congratulate each other because the parking or waiting of such vehicles will be banned outright because of the perceived inconvenience to other road users who far outnumber motorhomers. So as a minority group might it not be be better for motorhome's to tread softly and considerately so as not to give others, including Councils, other road users, residents etc reason to take offence and the ammunition to impose legislation, height barriers and all manner of restrictions where none previously existed.

 

[meanders]

Thing is its not really Motorhomers that are the problem mostly .......

For instance there is a group of ''Traveller'' types mostly of Irish extraction ,, who have been running amok in KENT SUSSEX HAMPSHIRE and WILTSHIRE for last 4 months robbing farms of machinery and livestock, Motorcycles and cars from all over , robbing tradesmen of their tools , burglaries , violence & threats , mobbing pubs, illegal hunting and hare coursing , stealing electric roadside , and the Police in all the forces know who is responsible , Hampshire police actually mounted a big operation against them involving 110 officers 2 helicopters, ariel drones etc over a 4 week period ... But the Itinerants evaded it all or just smash through the cops who have now decided they are too dangerous to confront and arrest . And that does not include illegal parking , camping etc ,, they use JCBs to remove parking barriers, height restrictors and berms in carparks , farms etc .... ITV actually put it on their regional news broadcast 3 days ago its show police being out manouvered or just overwhelmed by the bastards ,, We are probably tarred with same brush by some councils

While some Travellers are awful, others are really nice kind and considerate people. Sadly again, as with 'some' motorhomers behaviour spoiling for the rest of us, the same is true of Travellers and, while we should be careful, we should not tarnish them all with the same brush.

 

[Northernraider]

Well you start the protest and drive slowly along the road and then all you have to do is look in your mirrors at the other motorhomes trailing behind. Of course you won't be able to park anywhere to congratulate each other because the parking or waiting of such vehicles will be banned outright because of the perceived inconvenience to other road users who far outnumber motorhomers. So as a minority group might it not be be better for motorhome's to tread softly and considerately so as not to give others, including Councils, other road users, residents etc reason to take offence and the ammunition to impose legislation, height barriers and all manner of restrictions where none previously existed.

Unfortunately minority groups throughout history have had to make a stand to fight for their rights . The problem in the UK now is governments have successfully created division so there's no solidarity. Thatcher did well in the 80's with her campaign to depower unions and the soft among us supported her.


So it's that case of they came for the Christians blah blah

And no one did anything.


Once the rights have gone its difficult to get them back.

 

[Purrfecttune]

Thing is its not really Motorhomers that are the problem mostly .......

For instance there is a group of ''Traveller'' types mostly of Irish extraction ,, who have been running amok in KENT SUSSEX HAMPSHIRE and WILTSHIRE for last 4 months robbing farms of machinery and livestock, Motorcycles and cars from all over , robbing tradesmen of their tools , burglaries , violence & threats , mobbing pubs, illegal hunting and hare coursing , stealing electric roadside , and the Police in all the forces know who is responsible , Hampshire police actually mounted a big operation against them involving 110 officers 2 helicopters, ariel drones etc over a 4 week period ... But the Itinerants evaded it all or just smash through the cops who have now decided they are too dangerous to confront and arrest . And that does not include illegal parking , camping etc ,, they use JCBs to remove parking barriers, height restrictors and berms in carparks , farms etc .... ITV actually put it on their regional news broadcast 3 days ago its show police being out manouvered or just overwhelmed by the bastards ,, We are probably tarred with same brush by some councils

Some years ago a group of ‘travelers’ parked on the big, grassy roundabout at the entrance to Sheerness docks, along with trailers and caravans.

They were politely asked to leave which was met with the usual aggressive response.

So security arranged for them to be fenced in with shipping containers so they couldn’t leave the roundabout (except on foot) . The travelers had to eventually give in and ask to be released, (which was obviously at the bottom of the ports list of priorities )

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[iandsm]

Unfortunately minority groups throughout history have had to make a stand to fight for their rights . The problem in the UK now is governments have successfully created division so there's no solidarity. Thatcher did well in the 80's with her campaign to depower unions and the soft among us supported her.


So it's that case of they came for the Christians blah blah

And no one did anything.


Once the rights have gone its difficult to get them back.

'Once the rights have gone it's difficult to get them back.' That was exactly my point

 

[Tombola]

They stopped motorhomes parking at new brighton Fort Perch Car park, it was a great park up and very popular, easy access to liverpool, always tidy etc , I used it a lot.

The reason was a water adventure comany was setting up in the "pond" area and wanted the parking, 2 years later the company went tits up and now the car park is empty every night and still has barriers. Even if they charged a fee similar to roodee theyd make more money than they ever did with the stupid waterpark idea. Councillors?????

Then they put no overnight parking all down the prom roads unless you pay £15.00 to park on the road from 11 till 8 am, again these used to be quite popular spaces, with waste skips, people spending in the local cafes and restaurants etc.

All Gone!!!!

 

[nicholsong]

Forgetting what anyone thinks what the signs restrict, to find out the real restrictions one need to look at the By-Laws as drafted. In many cases they are badly worded.

For example they may not contain their application to Motor Caravans as that is the only legal definition which distinguishes one Category M1 vehicle from another, otheer then M1 (Special Purpose). which would include several other types of Category M1 vehicles.

Even if the BY-Law did define the restriction as applying to Motor Caravans, that is a descrition used in para D.5 on UK V5c but does not appear on other countries registration documents, including my Polish one.

Then there is the legality of the signs: do they conform to legislation, in particular do they state on their face or reverse the actual law prohibitting whatever they purport to prohibit.

There are many towns and villages where one can find places to park which are not opposite houses and Councils cannot restrict and erect signs on every street.

As to not 'antagonising' councils, did they not start the antagonism by putting some unreasonable restrictions on our community. Maybe we should fight back by holding them accountable to be correct in law when drafting their restrictions.

 

[Northernraider]

'Once the rights have gone it's difficult to get them back.' That was exactly my point

The rights are going regardless that's my point.

If you believe for a second the carpark restrictions are not purely to force the use of campsites and paid aires and that many of the stories are exaggerated and made up then you're misguided at best.

 

[Googlebot]

If you believe for a second the carpark restrictions are not purely to force the use of campsites and paid aires and that many of the stories are exaggerated and made up then you're misguided at best.

This is exactly what happened around Snowdonia/Eryri following the van life Covid craziness.

Signs everywhere saying overnight parking banned, help the local economy and use campsites.

Of course I would, except there aren’t many so when busy are full, in winter are shut, or when they are open then they charge £50+ a night. One wouldn’t ever answer the phone or reply to emails, same with one next door, same with another down the road. Then one accepted vans but not A class vans and you couldn’t fill your tank up, containers only with water, no dogs, no electric, showers extra and £20 each a night etc.

There are now a few aires opening which are a godsend. I use them a lot and always spend money locally.

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[St3v3]

Anyone actually received a ticket for "unauthorised sleeping"?

Weston-super-Mare has a carpark that is lorries only at the back. We parked there for two days during the airshow weekend. Hotels with the kit needed for our disabled son don't exist, nearest campsite is 2.5 miles away and disabled taxi's suck at the best of times, never mind the busiest weekend of the year.

They ticketed both mornings on the basis of it being a motorhome. I paid the first straight away and appealed the second stating it was a continuous contravention and they cancelled that one. We spent a fortune in the town on food and beer, the only thing that we made in the van was cup of tea x 4.

Our only sensible way to access the airshow and cost just £35. I wouldn't have had an issue with paying the second but it you don't ask you don't get....

 

[iandsm]

The rights are going regardless that's my point.

If you believe for a second the carpark restrictions are not purely to force the use of campsites and paid aires and that many of the stories are exaggerated and made up then you're misguided at best.

I dont believe that, but I do believe that keeping a low profile may prevent some of the exagerated complaints. I do think back to when I started with a motorhome thirty odd years ago there were few, if any restrictions but the growth in popularity of motorhomes has resulted in an increase in restrictions, in some case brought about by some who have a genuine cause for complaint and some by people who complain of the sake of it. Examples can be found like Felixstowe, where morothomers have been putting out tables and chairs at the seafront so as to make it difficult for pedestrians to pass along it, People were right to complain I'm my view and the motorhomers have only themselves to blame for a ban. On the other hand North Parade in Southwold where I once resided now has a ban in place but there is ample parking for everyone. I am sure that local incomers were the ones complaining that their view of the sea was interrupted. the Council took their side and imposed a ban which was not really needed. In neither case was the ban imposed to force people onto campsites.

I do think that local authorities have imposed restrictions for no good reason in some instances and for good reasons in others . Hunstanton di allow motorhomes in a large car park, there never any problem and the car park was not overlooked by housing. As soon as it became popular with a certain minority group who would not pay and refused to move on up went the height barriers the they did eventually leave.

Im sure that one or two motorhomes parked considerately in any area will not case offence but as soon as that place becomes poplar the complaint will be forthcoming, sometimes justified, sometimes exagerated and unjustified.

 

[ericonabike]

Just to clarify, I wasn't advocating parking where motorhomes are banned. But it's the situation where parking is allowed, but a 'no sleeping overnight' clause inserted that irks me. And I'd be curious to see how the legislation underpinning that clause is worded!

 

[jerryz]

Unfortunately minority groups throughout history have had to make a stand to fight for their rights . The problem in the UK now is governments have successfully created division so there's no solidarity. Thatcher did well in the 80's with her campaign to depower unions and the soft among us supported her.


So it's that case of they came for the Christians blah blah

And no one did anything.


Once the rights have gone its difficult to get them back.

I am very ANTI UNION , but only because when I was young from Apprentice until I was 30 I was In a few Unions and they were bullys , Corrupt and useless ,, They were in League with bosses , First one was at COOP where is was repair technician and other was at Stone Engineering and the last was at Reddifusion Flight simulation ...

We payed our subs but the Union reps were shafting us worse than the bosses,, Did not support us when we we made redundant ,, they were all thieving as much product and from the stores and blaming workers ,, setting people up, some guys were innocent but got criminal records whilst the real criminals laughed at Union parties , At Redifusion when the redundancies were announced the senior shop steward told us that as we were no longer employees of Redifusion we were also no longer members of the Union so we could F OFF his words ...... 4 years later I met him outside a pub and he had a liitle accident ....

From that day on in 1978 I have never had anything to do with Unions and I cheered Thatcher on when she destroyed them .....Unions were once proud neccessary Organisations for the working man but they became toxic sewer pits ......

 

[68c]

To get a two month job as a contracter I had to join a union. As I was new had to pay for the whole year also could not opt out of the payment to the labour party in the first year. A few years later went back to the same site, told my union card was out of date and that I would have to make good the missing subs over the whole period. Did not take the job. Unions are a good idea in theory but no good for an individual in practice.

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