P P Parking

[philbyford]

I’m sure you guys have discussed this before but something to get off my chest.
Height restrictions on PUBLIC car parks.
Many times I’ve attempted to stop in towns and villages to wander around and spend money on cake and coffee or pie n a pint at a local pub only to thwarted by a lack of somewhere to park.
The bars seem to be set to be a nuisance to motorhomes, but high enough to let campers in , I have no gripe against responsible camper owners but they don’t as a rule have the necessary facilities or digging equipment to ,as it were, cover their tracks.
Is there a national, or local authority policy.
There are car parks without restrictions which don’t seem to cause a problem,
Bit frustrating when you see a big blue P sign ahead only to find you are not allowed in.
Grrrrrrr

 

[Spriddler]

I’m sure you guys have discussed this before but something to get off my chest.
Height restrictions on PUBLIC car parks

Indeed we have and it's a pain. Many resort to a bicycle for inner town trips.

 

[Lenny HB]

That's why we hardly bother using the van in the UK, too much hassle.

 

[ROCHESB]

A few years back I drove our motorhome from Dunbar almost to Edinburgh along the coast & couldn't find a car park without a height barrier. As a result we spent nothing then and have never been back. Our continental neighbours are far more welcoming.......

 

[Spriddler]

Our continental neighbours are far more welcoming.......

Quite.
In the U.K. we are passively tolerated whereas abroad we're actively welcomed.

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[KiwiKampers]

For the same reason, we didn’t stop in Northampton, a town not on the tourist map, but one I drove out of my way to visit because I wanted to go to the shoe museum.
Colchester was another town we abandoned after driving around looking for a car park without a height barrier.
When we tried to park at the Bath Park ‘n Ride there was a barrier and the attendant told us to park in a lay-by on the main road and walk back to get the bus. The lay-by was full. We went to Bristol instead.
Strangely, I always seem to remember the places I haven’t been to.

 

[Bertilak]

Perhaps the answer is in your question: You want to park a large motorhome in a car park. If there's acres of space, at all times, perhaps it should be allowed. But too often you see people in 6-7-8m vans trying to fit into 4.8m slots (or 3 slots) and causing havoc, and then staying all day or longer. Or getting there before breakfast and becoming a visual eyesore on the front row from being 3m high.
The UK, and England particularly, is very crowded, with too many tourists gravitating to the same honeypots / bodies of water / hills, usually with very limited parking. Euroland has a fraction of the population density.
In our mind, if you can't get your van parked unobtrusively, then you shouldn't be there.
Which is why we bought a 5.4m PVC. (this could be contentious on this forum!)

 

[Otter Spotter]

The real reason why many councils put barriers up is to stop the traveller communities arriving and wasting the car parks when they leave, without paying or careing for either other users or the car park.
We in Motorhomes we’re the unintended victims, but because of Covid and the proliferation of Campers and FLTs Many Local Authorities panicked or were pushed by camp site owners and Nimbies into restricting car park use by MH,s without thinking of how much MH, owners spend.
There are a few enlightened LA,s and they need to be applauded, whilst at the same time those vehicle users, including hire MHs need to be named and shamed if they are found to be spoiling the areas they visit.
I can currently speak of Shetland Isles where there are camps sites, car parks without barriers including Tescos in Lerwick who actually welcome overnighter, many wild camping spots and lots of Community Halls, which if they haven’t already got EHU and waste disposal, will still let you park up for free. They are so enlightened here in Shetland and, importantly the locals welcome you, they understand the MH spenders help keep local shops and services afloat.

 

[Bertilak]

Fair point, but the Shetlands are an isolated case - because they are isolated! -and the cost of getting there deters damaging freeloaders of all types. The density is more like the EU, so similar rules can apply.
IMO, it's the same for much of the highlands, especially once you're more than 5 miles from the coast.

 

[Langtoftlad]

and spend money on cake and coffee or pie n a pint at a local pub

Perhaps the exception to the rule...
Southwold carpark which actually has spaces for motorhomes... came back only to find their owners had set up table & chairs on the grass in front. No money being spent.

TBH I think us motorhomers wear rose tinted glasses when estimating how much we spend in the places visited.

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[Richard n Ann]

This is why I love having the scooter on the back... I'm a motorhomer that can park anywhere I especially enjoy it when cars are queuing, waiting for spaces or falling out over spaces

 

[L' Hobo]

As has been said on another Motorhome Fun thread, the perceived image of motorhomer's dumping their waste water by not closing their taps has not helped to encourage Councils to spend money on parking for Motorhomes?

 

[DDJC]

Here in Kent, the nearest overnight parking place to us without height restriction is on the Rue d'Asfield, 62100 Calais.

The local authorities and UK government don't like motorhomes. It doesn't impact on us as, at present, it suits our circumstances to only use sites. But for the people that like to use aires or other campingcar parks, write to your MP and explain why motorhomers spend their money over the water.

It's a shame because there are thousands of places that we would like to go to in UK, but can't get near to.

 

[Littlewheels]

Quite.
In the U.K. we are passively tolerated whereas abroad we're actively welcomed.

Well put, l am currently in France and even in a Bar/Cafe you are served willingly not begrudgingly as is the order of the day in the U.K.

 

[iandsm]

I’m sure you guys have discussed this before but something to get off my chest.
Height restrictions on PUBLIC car parks.
Many times I’ve attempted to stop in towns and villages to wander around and spend money on cake and coffee or pie n a pint at a local pub only to thwarted by a lack of somewhere to park.
The bars seem to be set to be a nuisance to motorhomes, but high enough to let campers in , I have no gripe against responsible camper owners but they don’t as a rule have the necessary facilities or digging equipment to ,as it were, cover their tracks.
Is there a national, or local authority policy.
There are car parks without restrictions which don’t seem to cause a problem,
Bit frustrating when you see a big blue P sign ahead only to find you are not allowed in.
Grrrrrrr

You lost me, what do you mean by, "they don’t as a rule have the necessary facilities or digging equipment to ,as it were, cover their tracks." What are these and are they required in a public car park?

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[GJH]

The reasons why LAs use height barriers are many and varied. Use by large commercial vehicles is another which has not been mentioned above. If anyone wishes to find out in any particular case, send a FoI request to the council concerned asking for a copy of the report(s) which recommended their use (and the reasons why if not contained in the report(s).

 

[L' Hobo]

The real reason why many councils put barriers up is to stop the traveller communities arriving and wasting the car parks when they leave, without paying or careing for either other users or the car park.

This was the reason given to me by a Councillor, apparently, they had been installed after two incidents the previous year which had cost them £1000's in clean up fees.
Until the law changes, said he, it's easier to stop, or delay them, than it is to get rid of them?

 

[DDJC]

This was the reason given to me by a Councillor, apparently, they had been installed after two incidents the previous year which had cost them £1000's in clean up fees.
Until the law changes, said he, it's easier to stop, or delay them, than it is to get rid of them?

There won't be any genuinely punitive action taken against travellers, because of a tiny minority of screeching harpies complaining about impinging on their lifestyle and traditions. The rights of 99.99% of the population to NOT want travellers to destroy public amenities are of course, disregarded.

Until travellers (of any kind) receive proper punishment for their actions (caravan crushing, prison, etc), local authorities will continue to put height restrictions on so many places that motorhomers might want to visit.

Never happen, so take a ferry.

 

[L' Hobo]

There won't be any genuinely punitive action taken against travellers, because of a tiny minority of screeching harpies complaining about impinging on their lifestyle and traditions. The rights of 99.99% of the population to NOT want travellers to destroy public amenities are of course, disregarded.

Until travellers (of any kind) receive proper punishment for their actions (caravan crushing, prison, etc), local authorities will continue to put height restrictions on so many places that motorhomers might want to visit.

Never happen, so take a ferry.

or use a nearby site for a few days! That really puts money in the community.

 

[PaulC70]

Perhaps the exception to the rule...
Southwold carpark which actually has spaces for motorhomes... came back only to find their owners had set up table & chairs on the grass in front. No money being spent.

TBH I think us motorhomers wear rose tinted glasses when estimating how much we spend in the places visited.

Possibly true, though you don't know for sure that they didn't spend money there at all, plus provision of the facility is there as an attractant, like any tourism facility it's a numbers game.
For example they may not have spent a penny, I know when I last overnighted in Southwold me and the Mrs spent about £100 alone in food and beer in that restaurant on the pier.

Here in Kent, the nearest overnight parking place to us without height restriction is on the Rue d'Asfield, 62100 Calais.

The local authorities and UK government don't like motorhomes. It doesn't impact on us as, at present, it suits our circumstances to only use sites. But for the people that like to use aires or other campingcar parks, write to your MP and explain why motorhomers spend their money over the water.

It's a shame because there are thousands of places that we would like to go to in UK, but can't get near to.

Strange as there's no height restriction on the old dover car park where I stayed last year and overnighted?

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[SpeedyDux]

Height barriers mysteriously open by magic (aka angle grinders) when Travellers want to occupy a car park, so not such an effective deterrent. One place near us has given up probably because the height barrier is expensive to keep repairing.

As for campervans getting under height barriers, VW T5 and T6 elevating roof ones with standard ride heights tend to be a bit over 2m high so they probably have to go elsewhere or risk damage. Old T4s like our previous one are 1.98m high, so they manage to squeeze under a 2m barrier. Each time I did this it was a bit of a squeaky bum moment.

The other place with an annoying height barrier is our local Tip (recycling centre) to deter commercial vans, or at least those that haven't bought permits from the Council to dump business waste there on "van days".

 

[Landy Andy]

Local authorities and councils are lazy, and just want easy money. They don’t care what you or I think, or even if their high street looks deceased. They just want to put charges on things, and take the money for no work.
Certainly what happens around here.

 

[AnnieB]

The bars seem to be set to be a nuisance to motorhomes, but high enough to let campers in , I have no gripe against responsible camper owners but they don’t as a rule have the necessary facilities or digging equipment to ,as it were, cover their tracks.

Not so.
As a camper van owner I can assure you that we have all the facilities we need - water, waste tanks, porta-potty etc. No different than larger Motorhomes, just bijou .

Most height barriers are set at 2.1 metres so maybe a van can get through but as we are 2.12 metres I’m reluctant to take that risk and be relieved of our awning on the way through.

Yes it is frustrating but instead of driving round and being disappointed when finding access restrictEd why not do a bit of research before hand. We always use Google Earth to check location of car parks and Street View to check for barriers.

 

[peterc10]

Here in Kent, the nearest overnight parking place to us without height restriction is on the Rue d'Asfield, 62100 Calais.

Is it closer than Canterbury New Dover Street P&R? Certainly quicker if not shorter.

 

[Bolti]

I have a 5.4m PVC. Arrived in Portsmouth to catch ferry the next day after spending the night in port solent.
Drove to the park and ride to spend the day in Portsmouth doing touristy things big sign NO YOU CAN'T PARK HERE and advised parking at the D Day Museum.
yes, drive right through Portsmouth and its clean air zone because we won't let you park outside the city.

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[L' Hobo]

Is it closer than Canterbury New Dover Street P&R? Certainly quicker if not shorter.

also, if you're a C&CC member and have the OAP discount, there are sites at Canterbury & Folkestone (off season) for about £10 per night!

 

[StephandJohn]

A lovely big car park in Heysham near Morecambe had to put in height barriers after travellers decided to live there and caused much damage.
Now the council have increased car park fees, as they have also done in Morecambe and Lancaster, so people are just finding spaces outside if they can or not bothering. £2.00 for up to an hours stay.

 

[Spriddler]

Until travellers (of any kind) receive proper punishment for their actions (caravan crushing,

A pal in my LA tells me they don't confiscate/destroy travellers' caravans because they are then obliged to find accommodation for the 'homeless'

prison, etc),

I believe that many crims are already released early because of lack of space in our prisons.

In spite of CCTV and vehicle reg's evidence I had a generator towed away before my eyes in broad daylight while I was working on a 3rd floor roof.
The police said that although they were pretty sure they already knew the culprits from a travellers' site they wouldn't take any action as they only went there a couple of times a year with a riot support team. They said my best bet was to contact the local newspaper to publicise the need to secure property.

 

[TDub49]

I’m sure you guys have discussed this before but something to get off my chest.
Height restrictions on PUBLIC car parks.
Many times I’ve attempted to stop in towns and villages to wander around and spend money on cake and coffee or pie n a pint at a local pub only to thwarted by a lack of somewhere to park.
The bars seem to be set to be a nuisance to motorhomes, but high enough to let campers in , I have no gripe against responsible camper owners but they don’t as a rule have the necessary facilities or digging equipment to ,as it were, cover their tracks.
Is there a national, or local authority policy.
There are car parks without restrictions which don’t seem to cause a problem,
Bit frustrating when you see a big blue P sign ahead only to find you are not allowed in.
Grrrrrrr

The answer may be simple economics and risk management. The economics - a large motorhome with maybe 2 people on board might occupy space for two cars which could have up to 8 people. The risk - commercial and travelling interests take over the car parks - there are unrestricted car parks in the Southampton area that are more or less the works car parks for the courier firms to park their vans.

The thing is, this is a small island (in so many ways. . .) so comparisons with countries like France with a population a smidge larger than the UK but with nearly 2.5 times the space to accommodate them in are at best shaky. Add to that a totally different mindset when it comes to civic pride and community and of course things are more accommodating over there.

 

[DDJC]

Is it closer than Canterbury New Dover Street P&R? Certainly quicker if not shorter.

Course it is. I was being flippant, extolling the much saner choices of the continent when it come to motorhome friendliness.

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