Restrictions that result in lack of facilities for motorhomes

Jim said:
Much is made of the French Aires system, I've used it extensively and yes it would be nice to have something similar. But we're not the poor relations here. I don't see a lack of facilities.

IMO this country's CL/CS system takes some beating. 3500 of them all over the country and most under £12 a night. The French I've spoken to love our CL's. Add to that 1200 pubs and Britsops that officially welcome motorhomes and a lot more that do it if you ask.

If you want to fight the government there are more worthy battles, the system we have is superb (y)
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Yes we have the small sites and we use them but they aren't in towns. The CLs we go on are in the middle of nowhere, usually farm sites. When we holiday in the UK, sometimes we take our car with us simply because the sites we have, aren't handy for anywhere.

There are two places we use to park in towns in the UK, Canterbury and Helmsley. I'm afraid I disagree with you Jim, our system is not superb for motorhomes.
 
pelican said:
A
How many of them are funsters I wonder, any suggestions it would be interesting to hear some FLT tips
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As a fun loving tourist the difference in FLT's and travelors/didy coys in my case and many others is we pay taxes me for instance for the properties I own more or less everything I buy is taxed so not quite sure where the FLT slurs from certain peops come from, my van like many others is fully self sufficient so only need waste and water occasionally and don't mind paying for those services when and if I need them

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Thanks for the replies. I'll make sure and update if and when I get a reply.

I wont be mentioning anything about the 'gypsy' side of the argument more along the lines of visitor numbers going up while facilities for them aren't and why we as a country can't seem to provide anything like aires when France, Germany etc can.
 
romany said:
As a fun loving tourist the difference in FLT's and travelors/didy coys in my case and many others is we pay taxes me for instance for the properties I own more or less everything I buy is taxed so not quite sure where the FLT slurs from certain peops come from, my van like many others is fully self sufficient so only need waste and water occasionally and don't mind paying for those services when and if I need them
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Just laughing to myself at your Avatar/name
No offence meant
 
Maybe research what LAs are doing across the Uk re overnight car parking for motorhomes. ( powys north yorkshire dumfries spring to mind)

The make the argument that a max 48 hr per van per week is reasonable period for visitors to enjoy the local amenities.

And defiantly challenge the no sleeping in cars attitude as this is not camping.

The other biggy is getting rid of toilet waste facilities .
 
Jim said:
Much is made of the French Aires system, I've used it extensively and yes it would be nice to have something similar. But we're not the poor relations here. I don't see a lack of facilities.

IMO this country's CL/CS system takes some beating. 3500 of them all over the country and most under £12 a night. The French I've spoken to love our CL's. Add to that 1200 pubs and Britsops that officially welcome motorhomes and a lot more that do it if you ask.

If you want to fight the government there are more worthy battles, the system we have is superb (y)
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I’m afraid I have to disagree, the system is poor. Campsites are ok for a short stay but can be ridiculously expensive, and in the summer, virtually impossible to book with less than a few weeks notice and most are closed in Winter. Very few have proper Motorhome servicing facilities.
Its almost impossible to be spontaneous too.
Britsops are a great idea, but after being in the scheme for 5 years, we have only found a handful that we felt comfortable stopping in and many don’t really provide proper parking spaces for Motorhome.
We live in France and travel to the UK to see friends and family usually at short notice and it can be a nightmare to find somewhere to stay. This Christmas we were in Cambridge. One campsite open and £43 a night, no suitable Britstops or anywhere else to stay.
We did stay a couple of nights at Bury St Edmunds when we needed a break from the campsite, but that was a 60 mile round trip. There is Motorhome parking at Trumpington park and ride in Cambridge but it closes at 6:20 pm with no overnighting.
Compare that to where we live in Brittany, within a 25km radius, we have over 40 free camping car aires and a few paid ones.
I’m afraid Britain most definitely is the poor relation.
 
Lets face it, anywhere motor homes/campervans park up in any numbers, other than a campsite, is seen as a nuisance,and an inconvenient eyesore to some, as they may be taking up more spaces than cars would.
I hate to mention it, but any MH/Camper parking place without Black waist emptying facilities will be abused by the few.
I was shocked to see this abuse in many parts listed on Park4 nite, one example was The Fairy Falls on Skye, the public car park stinks of Pee & S...T all day every day, with litter strewn around the edges. Many blame the hired vans, driven by all nationalities, with the "they are only here once" attitude.

The realisation for me over the last 2 years is that unfortunately , I along with others may have joined this motor homing lark a little too late here in The UK, as the damage/nuisance has already been done over many years, hence the barriers and no sleeping restrictions everywhere , which for the responsible amongst us is a real shame.

I know irnbru organised a great New Years informal meet at Pitlochry, which was enjoyed by all that attended, however the pictures & report of the town car park being flooded out by "over 40 campervans", and "overstaying their welcome" at Pitlochry over NY, plus another adjoining village was sadly a very negative view by the Courier Local newspaper.
I wish Sandra the best of luck in her task in getting the local council on side in allowing motorhomes to park responsibly in Pitlochry in the future, but without support from local businesses, local residents, and councilors onside,however even with our support, I fear the worst outcome of it falling on deaf ears.
Its cheaper to say no, install height barriers and police pay & display parking restrictions with fines, than to install waste, water & refuge collection facilities, even at a price.
The local councils because of local media negative views are struggling to set up and promote the new Heart 200 touring route, for fear of further nuisance from MH's wilding and parking up everywhere, along with the bad record of racing car nutters already causing many accidents on The NC 500.
This BBC link below is worth a look if you have the interest & time.
Thanks for listening to my view of what I know most of us have seen and endured.

LES

www.bbc.co.uk

Heart 200: New road trip route paved with good intentions

Is a new tourist route through Perthshire heading in the right direction or a road to nowhere?
www.bbc.co.uk

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Spriddler said:
If there was sufficient demand in winter to make it economically viable more sites would stay open (provided that they have enough hard standing pitches rather than grass, plus a frost-proof water network).
In my experience very many commercial sites in France (even well down South) have a shorter opening season than do those in the U.K.

In the U.K. we just don't have the (unused) land available for Aires as they do, say, in France. Any scrap of land with permitted development is too valuable as housing, warehousing etc. to make it available for m/home parking.
It also seems to me that far more public car parks in the U.K. have height barriers than do those 'abroad'.
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I don’t understand how campsites are ever going to know if there is a demand if they are closed. In France, most campsites are open in Summer and generally cater for tents and caravans. It’s no problem for motorhomers as there in an extensive Aires system all over France and most are open and busy all year.

Jaws said:
Sadly that does not work
A site set up specifically for travellers ended up being blocked off because:
They complained when there was no water.. The reason there was no water is cos they took the tap off and hammered a bit of wood down the hole. Several times
The barriers were lockable and they were given keys upon request.
Barriers were in place less than a week before they got busy with a gas axe and sold the metal for scrap. Twice.. Turned up in a scrap yard less than a mile away
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I agree that’s bad, but just one example. If Travellers were so much of a problem, why aren’t they taking over all the unbarriered car parks in the UK?
In the UK, local authorities love to ban and restrict what people do and where they do it.

in France, they rarely have problems with travellers or Gypsies because official traveller sites are set up all over the country.
 
pelican said:
Just laughing to myself at your Avatar/name
No offence meant
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None taken, as a young boy spent a lot of time on my grandfathers farm where he used to employ Romany gypsies for the harvest they were fantastic people, just a pity people don't seem to be able to differentiate between them and other less desirable groups(y)
 
Surely it’s a campaign to the English tourist board or local councils who have a vested interest in tourism in local towns . Having recently visited torquay off season - that place could definitely do with facilities to attract money spending MH owners .
 
Jewellbags said:
Having recently visited torquay off season - that place could definitely do with facilities to attract money spending MH owners .
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It needed that 36 years ago when I moved there .It wasn't any differnt this year or last.
 
TinaL said:
I know @irnbru organised a great New Years informal meet at Pitlochry, which was enjoyed by all that attended, however the pictures & report of the town car park being flooded out by "over 40 campervans", and "overstaying their welcome" at Pitlochry over NY, plus another adjoining village was sadly a very negative view by the Courier Local newspaper.
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Exactly what I wrote to "The Courier" Part of my reply back was "The article itself was about the need for more facilities for motorhome tourists in Perthshire and not an attack on the tourists themselves."

Really! It didn't read like that to me or a load other van owners

There are 5 car parks in Pitlochry but only one where vans can overnight. The one right next to us was practically empty each day, thats why it was so full.

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To stop the ‘herberts or diddys couldn’t we have a etape type scheme as they have in France with electronic barriers ? I know there’s a charge but it’s quite nominal
 
Allanm said:
If Travellers were so much of a problem, why aren’t they taking over all the unbarriered car parks in the UK?
In the UK, local authorities love to ban and restrict what people do and where they do it.
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They do if they want to..
The problem is there are the Gypsy's and there are travellers.. Gorgers have no idea of the differences
OK, I know I am a bit biased but even the Gypsy community has proper had enough of the traveller shenanigans
 
Next Stop said:
Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a "tinker"…?
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Just for you.
"A person who makes a living by travelling from place to place mending pans and other metal utensils."

Sometimes the metal utensils didn't need repairing but were removed anyway!!!
 
monzer said:
I have been advised to write to my local MSP to highlight the lack of facilities for us in this country and before I do I just want to see what the consensus is on the forum as to the reasons that facilities are so hard to come by.

First of all am I right in saying that it is the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 that is the main set of regulations that we feel needs modernised?

Secondly, do you agree with me that it is more aire type stop-overs that we need instead of better/more campsites?

Any other thoughts and ideas welcome.
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Just use Britstop.

I don't think we should have an Aires network personally as it would be abused and full of "Itinerants"
The toilets would be disgusting, campers would steal the toilet roll, soap etc etc.
Toilet cassettes and waste tanks would just be dumped anywhere, kids/ pets running around on their own accord.
 
Simon Howards Motorhomes said:
Just use Britstop.

I don't think we should have an Aires network personally as it would be abused and full of "Itinerants"
The toilets would be disgusting, campers would steal the toilet roll, soap etc etc.
Toilet cassettes and waste tanks would just be dumped anywhere, kids/ pets running around on their own accord.
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That's the spirit! :giggle:

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Heading back to Aberdeenshire over the New Year we decided to visit Lytham St Annes, we were surprised to see at least two car parks for overnight motorhome parking with one allowing up to 3 days stay. The basic overnight charge on the one we used - 6pm to 10am was £4 or £7 for 9am to 10am the next day. In our opinion very reasonable for safe and dedicated parking. Another car park had a sluice for emptying toilet cassettes for a £1 fee, again quite reasonable. Well done Fylde Council.

I've never understood why caravan sites close through the winter, if staffing is a problem why not just give access to a water supply and cassette emptying point, minimal staffing would be required and a moderate charge would create additional revenue for the owner.
 
Lanerboy said:
I think Weymouth is a prime example of some where that would benefit from an aire, i have a static caravan in Weymouth and know the area well. The problem for MH owners is there are no sites near to the town centre so once on site you need to cycle or get a bus into town plus sites are very very limited down there mainly Haven sites really, the cl sites are miles away from the beach.

Well they have just knocked down the old condor ferry terminal and the sealife tower and this area would make an ideal aire. You could get a good 20 + MH on this part of the car park then its a 5 minute walk into town at a slow pace.
There a about 5 places for MH's to park in this car park but you are not allowed to sleep there but can park over night.

An ideal opportunity for Weymouth to lead the way but i doubt they will, loads of people would park there then spend money in the town shops and food outlets but councils cant see this
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Weymouth Council tried very hard a few years ago to install an Aire but all the local campsites complained and they put it on hold indefinitely.
 
Simon Howards Motorhomes said:
Just use Britstop.

I don't think we should have an Aires network personally as it would be abused and full of "Itinerants"
The toilets would be disgusting, campers would steal the toilet roll, soap etc etc.
Toilet cassettes and waste tanks would just be dumped anywhere, kids/ pets running around on their own accord.
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Councils and Nimbys propagate this myth to excuse themselves from providing facilities.
if it were true, then the Aires that are already established would suffer from this abuse
They don’t!
 
Jaws said:
They do if they want to..
The problem is there are the Gypsy's and there are travellers.. Gorgers have no idea of the differences
OK, I know I am a bit biased but even the Gypsy community has proper had enough of the traveller shenanigans
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If the Gypsy community had had enough of the Traveller shenanigans why don't they do something about it?
Phil
 
Simon Howards Motorhomes said:
I don't think we should have an Aires network personally as it would be abused and full of "Itinerants"
The toilets would be disgusting, campers would steal the toilet roll, soap etc etc.
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Wow you must visit posh aires. Most ones we've been on don't have toilets let alone toilet roll and soap.

Simon Howards Motorhomes said:
cassettes and waste tanks would just be dumped anywhere, kids/ pets running around on their own accord.
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I disagree and think the lack of aires encourages this!
 
Allanm said:
Councils and Nimbys propagate this myth to excuse themselves from providing facilities.
if it were true, then the Aires that are already established would suffer from this abuse
They don’t!
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It depends on how well they are policed I guess.
Most of the travelling fraternity still use caravans. In the Aires, Caravans are not allowed so that makes a big difference.
Also who and what is allowed? Can HGV's stay in the "UK" version? Can RV's? Can Caravans? What about a pop up tent or someone that camps out of the back of a car? You can imagine the uproar here if one is allowed but not the other.
I personally like using Britstop, good way to find new pubs! Lots are investing in mains hook up and water etc now. Although not that many places you would travel to in the UK would be a big enough distance to warrant an over nighter. Unless you live in Cornwall and want to travel to Scotland!
I also don't see an issue with stopping off at a local Campsite or CL either to be honest.
 
One of my late Mum's favourite sayings:

If "ifs" and "ands" were pots and pans there'd be no room for tinkers.

Gordon
 
Simon Howards Motorhomes said:
Just use Britstop.

I don't think we should have an Aires network personally as it would be abused and full of "Itinerants"
The toilets would be disgusting, campers would steal the toilet roll, soap etc etc.
Toilet cassettes and waste tanks would just be dumped anywhere, kids/ pets running around on their own accord.
Click to expand...
Does a family relative have a camp site by any chance:devil:

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