Genuine Question

DerryW

DerryW

Joined
Apr 30, 2018
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Mid Suffolk
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MH
Adria Matrix 670DC
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Motorhoming since 2018.
This is a genuine question and in no way a criticism of anyone using their MH for whatever reason.
Can we as of today 29th March take the MH out, as long as we keep local. Having searched online, I can't find the governments definition of local, is it 10miles, 20mile etc from your primary residence. I'm aware you cant stop overnight away from your primary residence.
 
Phileas Fogg said:
As far as I am concerned you can now go out and about, there is no law about what you have to be driving in order to do it, I will be taking ours to the beach tomorrow, why not?
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Yep it's only sound Government advice not to do so - why worry?
 
From .gov website


Travel​

The ‘stay at home’ rule will end on 29 March but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme. The government has launched a new taskforce to review global travel which will report on 12 April.

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I haven’t seen any rules that say you can’t go to the coast in your motorhome. Or any rules on how far local is. To some 5 miles is local to others 100 miles is local. Most of us are somewhere in between. Some would like a set figure for miles but they probably live near everything they need.
For me? Yeah go for it. Just stay safe.
 
I have just spent the last hour trying to get a definitive answer. There isn’t one!
Stay local in Wales apparently means stay in Wales. Can’t find anything on England or even anything on county level.
Some newspapers are reporting that you can travel any distance to a location but you must travel back again the same day and that the police have no powers to fine you.
There must be a copper or two on here that could clarify for us.
I too am not looking to break any rules but would like to spend a day out in our van.
 
In Canada and the US. We’re just nipping over to.., can be 300miled
 
According to the Bournmouth echo, Dorset Police were issuing a statement on this subject today.
Can’t find anything.

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It has been left ambiguous.

I would think along the lines of "Can I justify my local trip to a magistrate ?"

10 miles to the quiet beauty post for a picnic for me and the wife in order to give the van a run would pass that threshold.

50 miles to a packed beach and surrounding area like Bournemouth struggled with last year would not pass my threshold.

We each have different levels to interpret, and hope that the magistrate agrees with us. I would be less concerned of the opinion of the police officer who would have to issue the ticket first, as I would be pleading Not Guilty to his interpretation of the former scenario and ruining his day off in lieu to spend in Court.
 
More from .gov website

As your motorhome classes you (as an activity, not as a business or attraction) as self contained accommodation I would say you definitely can’t stay away from home overnight in it (not directed at the OP as they said they knew that)


Step 2 - not before 12 April​

Business and activities​

Step 2, which will be no earlier than 12 April, will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
 
M-J said:
More from .gov website

As your motorhome classes you (as an activity, not as a business or attraction) as self contained accommodation I would say you definitely can’t stay away from home overnight in it (not directed at the OP as they said they knew that)


Step 2 - not before 12 April​

Business and activities​

Step 2, which will be no earlier than 12 April, will see the opening of non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres. Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups); as will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
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Nobody is looking to stay away in our self contained accommodation, as that is quite clearly illegal before the 12th.
We just want to go out for the day
 
From all of the info I have read the media are describing it as stay local within your village, town or area of the city you live in.

The government are just saying minimise travel and avoid busy periods. They do however say work from home if you can, you would think just from that people could figure out that they shouldn’t be travelling too far (10 miles or so will get you to somewhere you can have a nice walk/day out although not necessarily the seaside for most people)
 
I went to new brighton today probably 20 miles, spoke to a copper lady and she said yes if it was yesterday wd have been asking quetions as we see your van is registered in xxxxxx , but they were quite happy as long as I was observing social distance unlike lots of the probably 1000 people there.
They said yesterday there were 5 or 6 VW vans all camped close to each others doors open facing, with wetsuits and no distancing they were watching out for them again today.

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“Local” is not a legally defined term, so a massive problem in terms of enforcement
“minimise journeys where possible” is a similar problem
Go out and enjoy yourself, you might meet a few Funsters along the way
 
A bit from a piece in the Telegraph, is a motorhome your second home.
"Madeleine Stone, the legal and policy officer at Big Brother Watch, hit out at the disparity between the guidance and the law, arguing that it had created confusion.

She told The Telegraph: "There isn't a specific provision [in the legislation] on overnight stays, meaning they aren't explicitly banned. Schedule 1, paragraph 1 prevents indoor gatherings – which would cover overnight stays in other, occupied, households – but there are no provisions that would prevent visiting a second home that was in England."

Calling the restrictions "incredibly unclear", Ms Stone added: "There is a deliberate blurring between the law and the guidance which is really unhelpful for those just trying to follow the rules. Too often, the Government has published misleading guidance which goes beyond or skews the letter of law, leading to confusion and, in many cases, unlawful fines and prosecutions."
 
I listened to Matt Hancock on the radio today and he said he was going back to Suffolk this weekend for the first time since November to see family, although he will not be staying over as it is not allowed. He advised that people are free to travel ANYWHERE within England as long as they return that same day.
 
Mr Hancock also said that with lockdown easing from now, people should aim to minimise travel but could go to see family and friends in England.

“We’re saying that you should minimise travel, but if you want to travel to see friends and family, then that is absolutely fine,” he said.

“For instance, I haven’t been home to Suffolk since November. I’m planning to go this weekend, but only go for the day because there’s no overnight stays, but I’m going to go for the day on Easter Sunday.

“I’m going to see friends in Suffolk outdoors, and then coming back again.”

Full article here:

www.standard.co.uk

The door ‘is not shut’ on foreign summer holidays, Matt Hancock says

The Health Secretary said he had a ‘lot of sympathy’ for the travel industry.
www.standard.co.uk www.standard.co.uk

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Yes you can.
There is no definition of local.
 
Fulham Dave said:
Matt Hancock on the radio today said he was going back to Suffolk this weekend for the first time since November but won't be staying over.
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At least he'll be restricting his journeys to the number of thumbs he can count on one hand. ;)

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I'll be driving the m/h 120 miles to see a dear friend near Cambridge whom I haven't seen for 8 months and returning same day.
 
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I would think statistically you’ve more chance of picking COVID up in Sainsbury’s or B&Q than taking your van to the beach for the day! No matter how far away the beach is!
 
Our local BBC said travel ok but minimise the number of journeys you make.
Here is one for the Motorhome lawyers, can I accompany my grandson on L plates if we stay local?
 
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According to the Government spokesman we can go anywhere for the day

www.dailymail.co.uk

You CAN leave your local area to go to the beach, Government confirms

People in England will be taking advantage of the relaxation of lockdown measures as outdoor gatherings and sport events resume, with highs of 66F (19C) today and 75F (24C) tomorrow.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

I just taxed my MH today so will only get 2 days out of March but a couple of day trips out in the sun will be fab
 
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PJGWiltshire said:
According to the Government spokesman we can go anywhere for the day

www.dailymail.co.uk

You CAN leave your local area to go to the beach, Government confirms

People in England will be taking advantage of the relaxation of lockdown measures as outdoor gatherings and sport events resume, with highs of 66F (19C) today and 75F (24C) tomorrow.
www.dailymail.co.uk www.dailymail.co.uk

I just taxed my MH today so will only get 2 days out of March but a couple of days out in the sun will be fab
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Good move, if for no other reason that it'll avoid using public loos (if any are open).
I'll be doing the same for the same reason.
 
Bearing in mind that there are still Police forces interpreting rules etc differently, I would say a guide would be, don’t leave your own force area, at least that way you will be ‘fairly‘ local and not open to be accused of travelling too far.
 
Spriddler said:
Good move, if for no other reason that it'll avoid using public loos (if any are open).
I'll be doing the same for the same reason.
Click to expand...
See you on the road, we are only going to West Wittering beach so its still local

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