JOHNSTEY
Free Member
It's about time we got some Aires in Scotland and to this end I have written to my local councillor today.I attach my e-mail.Lets see if it has any success!
I will (literally!) keep you posted:thumb:
Dear Richard,
I am writing to you in your capacity as a West End Councillor as I have an idea which I think is worthy of exploration.
Since leaving the Council I have had the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe in our Motorhome and have joined forums and subscribed to magazines as one would with any hobby.
It occurs to me that in Dundee we are missing a trick and especially with the need to develop our tourism offer alongside our great cultural facilities we should be developing facilities to allow motorhomes to visit.
We have stayed at Aires in France where for a small charge you can park your motorhome and stay overnight.These are provided by the local councils on the basis that they support spending in the local economy and give a positive impression of how enlightened the place is.For example in Honfleur in Normandy this has grown to an enormous area of over two hundred places, effectively a small town all enjoying the town and spending in the local shops and restaurants.(We did and enjoyed it very much).This is one of the more developed Aires and for a price of 10 euros per night provides electric hook up and waste disposal.
However some of the smaller Aires only provide hard standing as most Motorhomes are self sufficient with their own sanitary facilities and battery back up.Many also now have solar panels (we had these fitted this summer) which means in summer you can go off grid for weeks at a time.
Motorhoming as a hobby is green in that the amount of fuel used is far less harmful than that used in aviation and the new Euro5 engines comply with very strict emission legislation.Lots of motorhomes carry bicycles to get around once parked up and the hobby attracts people who like walking, cycling and are generally outdoors type of people.
My idea is to explore the possibility of creating a Dundee Aire by the river in your ward. A suitable place would be immediately westward from the Bridge Cafe.Positioned here it would bring tourist life to the area, support the cafe, encourage cycling on the Green Circular into town, allow dog walking in the Riverside Country Park and allow Scotlands many foreign (and home) visitors not to miss out on Dundee.
This area would provide beautiful sunsets up the Tay Estuary giving visitors a great experience and leaving with a positive impression of the City.
If you are interested in exploring this further I would be happy to meet you to discuss.I would suggest meeting on the site and I could bring down the motorhome so you can get a better understanding of what modern motorhoming is all about.
I know there are four ward councillors and am approaching yourself as I know you personally.If you are supportive I will take your guidance as to how to get the others on board.
Kind Regards
(Johnstey)
I will (literally!) keep you posted:thumb:
Dear Richard,
I am writing to you in your capacity as a West End Councillor as I have an idea which I think is worthy of exploration.
Since leaving the Council I have had the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe in our Motorhome and have joined forums and subscribed to magazines as one would with any hobby.
It occurs to me that in Dundee we are missing a trick and especially with the need to develop our tourism offer alongside our great cultural facilities we should be developing facilities to allow motorhomes to visit.
We have stayed at Aires in France where for a small charge you can park your motorhome and stay overnight.These are provided by the local councils on the basis that they support spending in the local economy and give a positive impression of how enlightened the place is.For example in Honfleur in Normandy this has grown to an enormous area of over two hundred places, effectively a small town all enjoying the town and spending in the local shops and restaurants.(We did and enjoyed it very much).This is one of the more developed Aires and for a price of 10 euros per night provides electric hook up and waste disposal.
However some of the smaller Aires only provide hard standing as most Motorhomes are self sufficient with their own sanitary facilities and battery back up.Many also now have solar panels (we had these fitted this summer) which means in summer you can go off grid for weeks at a time.
Motorhoming as a hobby is green in that the amount of fuel used is far less harmful than that used in aviation and the new Euro5 engines comply with very strict emission legislation.Lots of motorhomes carry bicycles to get around once parked up and the hobby attracts people who like walking, cycling and are generally outdoors type of people.
My idea is to explore the possibility of creating a Dundee Aire by the river in your ward. A suitable place would be immediately westward from the Bridge Cafe.Positioned here it would bring tourist life to the area, support the cafe, encourage cycling on the Green Circular into town, allow dog walking in the Riverside Country Park and allow Scotlands many foreign (and home) visitors not to miss out on Dundee.
This area would provide beautiful sunsets up the Tay Estuary giving visitors a great experience and leaving with a positive impression of the City.
If you are interested in exploring this further I would be happy to meet you to discuss.I would suggest meeting on the site and I could bring down the motorhome so you can get a better understanding of what modern motorhoming is all about.
I know there are four ward councillors and am approaching yourself as I know you personally.If you are supportive I will take your guidance as to how to get the others on board.
Kind Regards
(Johnstey)