Parliamentary Petition - Public Consultation: Overnight Parking of Campervans & Motorhomes

[mitzimad]

Popcorn!. . Seriously, this has been debated/advocated in the past. There IS definitely a case for Parking reg`s (and overnighting thereof) to be rationalised. (Note:- I said OVERNIGHTING, NOT Camping) Overnighting would be a safety issue. Camping is covered already by rules from the 60`s? (I think, GJH will be along soon to put me right if I am wrong ). As someone who spent many a (happy??) night in lay-bys courtesy of my employer!. There is a crying need for cheap (yes even free) Parking for the taking of "Rest". Motorway services which do allow it, Also make Charges which are eye watering, and above the "Driver night out" allowance", (even when a breakfast is offered) hence why the access roads are often littered with "foreign" trucks! trying to avoid said fee`s and prepared to risk fines for so doing!.

The "itinerant" ( The "P" word is banned) issue is separate, and can easily be addressed by ensuring that after no more that 36 hrs, fines and CONFISCATION and removal at owner expense, in lieu of payment is levied.

rules already exist for failing to pay for parking or overstaying its enforcing the rules that are difficult.I cant see many wardens on min wage wanting to ticket a dozen itinerantes and as its civil law police not interested

 

[PeteH]

rules already exist for failing to pay for parking or overstaying its enforcing the rules that are difficult.I cant see many wardens on min wage wanting to ticket a dozen itinerantes and as its civil law police not interested

Which is what IMV is what REALLY needs changing. Make it a fully Endorsable, points on licence, Road Traffic style offence instead of pussyfooting about!. The first half dozen to lose their vehicles will be an example to the rest!. I understand that the rules in IRELAND, where many of these creatures come from are much harsher than here?.

 

[gus-lopez]

A petition to remove and eliminate all the "travellers" is what is needed first. That is never going to happen in the UK with its human rights and pussy footing.

I can't help but think the travellers will use this to their advantage. Not signing.
Basically what you want is to camp for free.
Not happening.

yes just like the itinerant scum do or the councils can supply "parking and accommodation " like they have to for the freeloading travelling scum.

until the travellers issue is dealt with properly in this country, Aires will just be seen as a honey pot for them.

Exactly

 

[Puddleduck]

There are a plethora of small CLs scattered around the country plus masses of small sites all charging a small fee. How much do you think is a fair small charge to pay.

And I do use them but sometimes when traveling long distances in an emergency situation it isn't possible to find a CL where there is a vacancy or where one can pull up at unsocial hours. Coming back from France last year and desperate to get to the hospital we were given the edict to be there by 6 or no entry at more than one CL / CS. Since we were trying to put miles behind us whilst we could we needed to push on and ended up on an MSA for a few hours where we were able to rest if not sleep.

The last CL I used (one I use frequently because of aforementioned situation) charges between £12 and £20 - depends on time of year - for a serviced pitch with internet connection. No showers / toilets and there is a bit (lot) of road noise. It's about a mile to the bus stop and there are buses every hour* which pass the hospital (the last bus leaves the hospital at 4.30 so no evening visiting).

*45 minutes on the bus but the CL is the nearest to the hospital. The nearest CMC site is the other side of the city and it takes much longer to get to the hospital from there. There is no CCC club site within sensible distance.

 

[buttons]

And I do use them but sometimes when traveling long distances in an emergency situation it isn't possible to find a CL where there is a vacancy or where one can pull up at unsocial hours. Coming back from France last year and desperate to get to the hospital we were given the edict to be there by 6 or no entry at more than one CL / CS. Since we were trying to put miles behind us whilst we could we needed to push on and ended up on an MSA for a few hours where we were able to rest if not sleep.

The last CL I used (one I use frequently because of aforementioned situation) charges between £12 and £20 - depends on time of year - for a serviced pitch with internet connection. No showers / toilets and there is a bit (lot) of road noise. It's about a mile to the bus stop and there are buses every hour* which pass the hospital (the last bus leaves the hospital at 4.30 so no evening visiting).

*45 minutes on the bus but the CL is the nearest to the hospital. The nearest CMC site is the other side of the city and it takes much longer to get to the hospital from there. There is no CCC club site within sensible distance.

A one off scenario Puddleduck, if you were driving your car what would you do. Get a cab or park at the hospital etc. Motorway services have adequate facilities as do lorry parks. Lorry drivers don't have a problem why motorhomes. To cover your absolute requirement, we would have to have Aires sited at every possible location. Demand in this country would never service such facilities.

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[Puddleduck]

A one off scenario Puddleduck,

If only it was buttons We have to dash from one end of the UK to the other between ICUs because of serious family illness. We are not the only Funsters that do this and I am not looking for sympathy. It is just the situation we are facing.

In the car we park at the hospital but the hospital car park is not suitable for larger vehicles - even in the car it is a very tight squeeze. Our car is wheelchair adapted. Oh, and I really object to the parking charge for a bit of waste ground (not even tarmac) run by a company not associated with the hospital. The former hospital car park has been built over. Taxi is fine if you can find one that will take a wheelchair - there are not many around and at £50 one way not sustainable for Mum long term.

Lorry drivers are very different to motorhome drivers and there are truck stops that cater for them. I have used a couple but also been refused at others (a motorhome is not a truck and we don't have statutory hours). I also think that if you talk to lorry drivers many do have issues finding places to park up.

I find motorway services scary places to stay overnight and feel very unsafe even during the day. Sorry but that is just the sensation I get. Perhaps I am more sensitive to danger and overreact?

I am not asking for an aire system as they have in France and don't think that was what I said?

 

[Nirvanauk]

For the past couple of years my town, Helmsley, has permitted overnight parking with no charge overnight. This will shortly come up for review and I really hope it stays. There are often a dozen vans there overnight and I assume they all go into town for a drink or a meal or to buy provisions.

 

[Hymer 1961]

In my option Motorway Services in the U.K. are highly inadequate for motorhomes.
They at best provide hit and miss parking. Unless you already have prior knowledge, In our experience you have to first go in too see if safe parking is provided, invariably wasting time driving around if none is.

Wouldn’t it be sensible to indicate parking with signage on the motorway slip road along with the other advertised facilities, rather than leave it to guess work.

I for one do not want to park or leave my Motorhome in a melee of foreign juggernauts all jostling for spaces. Leaving the safety of the van and walking in between these large vehicles is downright dangerous.

Seems to me the multimillion pound Motorhome and caravan industry is still invisible. Isn’t it about time for those who plan and design our infrastructure to start to address rest areas that provide overnight parking and somewhere to recuperate safely.

 

[PeteH]

Lorry drivers don't have a problem why motorhomes

Sorry to disappoint you. BUT truck drivers have much greater problems with finding secure and SAFE "parking" to take the LEGALLY required rest periods. There are BANS in place in many Industrial estates even. M-Way services ARE ONLY on M-Ways!, and Charge STUPID prices for overnight stay. Other "Truck Stops" are often potholed, Poo Holes. The old Greasy Spoons have gone the way of the Do-Do. Many "redeveloped" to maximise profit. Security in most is Laughable and you are often better off in a Lay-by. Provided you get there before all the Latvians, Romanians et-Al.

Motorhomes have similar issues but at least are not governed by the "tachograph"!!!! (YET!). I can stop early or carry on beyond my 9 or 10hrs, without incurring the wrath of the Traffic Commissioners. SAFE cheap rest area`s are needed in both cases.

Like Puddleduck. I too have had to run the Gauntlet of Hospital Management in recent times. having had SWMBO in hospital 250miles from home when she took a fall on our most recent venture. I was forced to park in a road with double lines at one point there being nowhere else, and got a PCN for my Troubles!. Meantime, whilst "commuting" between 20 min and 45 min from the NEAREST available campsite(s).

Damn Good job, that I do have a "toad" on a "A" frame.!!!!

 

[Reallyretired]

Signed. Just 313 signatures when I did. I don't see it getting anywhere
There are many cl/cs around but not many convenient for towns. There also seem to be more of them with ehu and even toilets, which charge a premium price for facilities that are not needed by most motorhome owners. They tend to be geared to tuggers.

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[GJH]

Camping is covered already by rules from the 60`s? (I think, GJH will be along soon to put me right if I am wrong ).

As you ask The Act was passed in 1960 but (as pointed out previously) has been updated by parliament several times to keep it relevant (at least as far as parliament and many people think anyway; as we know there are those who will never be satisfied until they can do just as they please )

That said, why should we not have better parking facilities here in the U.K. Aires work in France so why not here. Having flexibility to overnight or short stay in different towns or locations as we tour around the country offers an alternative to the usual crowded and expensive campsites. I can only see positives to such an approach for the economy and local businesses.

If you search back through previous threads you will see that the same point has been made on a number of occasions but the problem is that there isn't a "one size fits all" solution. By all means, though, make the specific case if your wish. It is almost 5 years since I wrote this article but by all means use it, and this template, as a basis for making your case.
I wouldn't rely too much on the argument that the public purse should provide an alternative for people who don't want to pay caravan site prices; we don't have a public scheme for those who don't wish to pay hotel prices

 

[Puddleduck]

For the past couple of years my town, Helmsley, has permitted overnight parking with no charge overnight. This will shortly come up for review and I really hope it stays. There are often a dozen vans there overnight and I assume they all go into town for a drink or a meal or to buy provisions.

Hawick is also popular (and free). Welshpool makes a charge and we have used that facility, Hay-on-Wye also has a charge. I'm sure there was somewhere else in that area that we noted for future visits.

 

[xsparks]

Can't say that I have ever noticed a problem regarding aires and travellers in France. Maybe they don't require a court order to move them on like we do in this country. Travelling up from Rouen yesterday I must have seen 50 or more in convoy heading South. I wonder where they all stayed?