Possible development of an aire in Penrith?

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As part of a wider planning document, Penrith Town Council are considering setting up overnight parking facilities for MHs (and caravans) on an existing car park.

They are asking for feedback - either on the full document at https://bit.ly/2sIzYWS (hope I’ve got that link right!) or just on the specific proposal by email to deputytownclerk@penrithtowncouncil.co.uk, headed “ND Plan” - if people want to support/encourage the idea, might be worth feeding into it?
 

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I cant get the whole thing to open but have noticed that they are intended to include EHU. If its meant just as stopover this is unnecessary IMO and could lead to problems getting it established due to budgetary concerns/HSE issues. Afterall Canterbury has managed without for over 10 years now. Does anyone else have a view?

Jon
 
I cant get the whole thing to open but have noticed that they are intended to include EHU. If its meant just as stopover this is unnecessary IMO and could lead to problems getting it established due to budgetary concerns/HSE issues. Afterall Canterbury has managed without for over 10 years now. Does anyone else have a view?

Jon

Jon

Good point.

Canterbury are planning a new Aire at what will be an extended Wincheap P+R when the new slip road off the A2 is opened.

I arranged a meeting with the guy responsible, Colin Ferris, as he had asked for comments. Nice guy and listened.

I made the same point as yours about EHU, particularly as Canterbury's New Dover Road(NDR) existing P+R is normally used for one night as last/first stop for a Channel Crossing. I explained to him the various payment methods, the problems with overloading/tripping and maintenance. He seemed to be convinced that it would be better without EHU. Because there will be provision for more places than NDR he was already planning for two service points.

Canterbury really do provide a good facility, which has been improved in the last 1-2 years with addition of an overflow parking area, removal of height barriers, second tap and big wheelie bin, which I had the pleasure of being the first user:LOL: and I believe it is all to down to Colin Ferris doing an excellent job.

If anybody knows who is in charge of the Penrith project may I suggest you get them to contact Colin Ferris at Canterbury City Council. I am sure he would be happy to pass on experience.

Geoff
 
If anybody knows who is in charge of the Penrith project may I suggest you get them to contact Colin Ferris at Canterbury City Council. I am sure he would be happy to pass on experience.

Geoff
I agree about the EHU, and had already included that in my response to Penrith Town Council - along the lines that it’s not really essential or expected. I would encourage other MHers to send in supportive comments to the council - particularly as I had to be honest and admit that it’s too close to home for us to be likely to make much use of it! (I did say that there were regular posts on forums looking for overnight stops by - I also suggested to them that the Hawick Aire may be a useful point of contact.)

I don’t think Penrith is really at the stage of being a project yet - more a line in a local development plan, out for consultation. Any responses should go to
deputytownclerk@penrithtowncouncil.co.uk, headed “ND Plan”.

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Im going to write to them and suggest as Geoff @nicholsong suggest that they look at Canterbury.

I'm somewhat surprised more on here are not expressing a view, particularly @GJH
 
Im going to write to them and suggest as Geoff @nicholsong suggest that they look at Canterbury.

I'm somewhat surprised more on here are not expressing a view, particularly @GJH
Why me?
I've advised of the proper way to proceed goodness knows how many times over the years with varying response.

It's nice to see constructive responses like your own - you don't need input from me.

Then there are those who say they want aires but can't be bothered to put the effort in to get them. I've received too much abuse from that quarter so they can do without my input now.
 
Im going to write to them and suggest as Geoff @nicholsong suggest that they look at Canterbury.
Just done so myself Jon. (y)

@nicholsong. Geoff, the email contact I have in my communications re Canterbury, is for Colin Perris (rather than Ferris)

Cheers,

Jock. :)

Edit..........Just received an "out of office" reply, so yes, Colin Perris. (y)
 
No-one has asked "why ?".

People need a reason to stop, I can't see what it is when the magnificent Lake District is just a few miles away.

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No-one has asked "why ?".

People need a reason to stop, I can't see what it is when the magnificent Lake District is just a few miles away.
Are you joking?

this would be a very useful stopoff on the way to or from Scotland.

much better than trying to find a campsite in the lake district for an overnight. Like aires work.
 
Are you joking?

this would be a very useful stopoff on the way to or from Scotland.

much better than trying to find a campsite in the lake district for an overnight. Like aires work.
And that is the exact reason I would support a Penrith stopover, ie, pull in after crossing the A66, have a couple of pints and a meal out, then straight out on to the M6 North in the morning. Job done. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
New Zealand has a very good system going, where the NZMCA has a certified scheme for 'self-containment' A certified Motorhome sporting a 'self-contained' sticker is allowed to stop in hundreds of places some of which are paid and some free.

They also have many public dumpstations, these are just roadside points where you can dump waste and take on water, frequently next to public facilities. The NZMCA oversee the whole thing.

I also like the Italian set up where service stations frequently have dump tanks etc.

The problem with the councils these days are that they are budget led. So you mention Motorhomes and they think they would have to provide shower and toilets and EHU etc, whereas all we actually need in practical terms is a larger space and permission to use it IMHO.
 
I’m happy to add my support to the Penrith plan for the reasons already outlined.
For those looking for an overnight off the M6 I am reliably informed that the Lancaster P & R permit an overnight stop. It isn’t a designated aire, but is literally 1 minute off junction 34 and great when travelling to/from Scotland.

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Would be an alternative stop over to The Metal Bridge Inn which we currently use to and from Scotland.
 
So just for clarification I can only find this one line in the NDP, the eagle eyed amongst you will notice there is no mention of EHU, is this what we are commenting on or is there more detail somewhere else?

Martin

Quote from NDP below,
  1. 2.To explore the potential for the overnight parking of camper vans and cars towing caravans.

 
Would be an alternative stop over to The Metal Bridge Inn which we currently use to and from Scotland.
It may or may not be but I think the just of this thread is to try to encourage local councils to recognise the potential of motorhome stopovers and to support any actions that are taken.

Martin
 
Are you joking?

this would be a very useful stopoff on the way to or from Scotland.

much better than trying to find a campsite in the lake district for an overnight. Like aires work.
Pretty well all motorway services already offer overnight parking. I've made good use of the facility on journeys where I simply need an overnight stop. What's different about this one? If it meant a more agreeable environment better separated from the trucks then that is worthwhile but at most M'way Services it's not difficult to find a suitable spot.
 
So just for clarification I can only find this one line in the NDP, the eagle eyed amongst you will notice there is no mention of EHU, is this what we are commenting on or is there more detail somewhere else?

Martin

Quote from NDP below,
  1. 2.To explore the potential for the overnight parking of camper vans and cars towing caravans.

Its on the image in the OP Martin

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Pretty well all motorway services already offer overnight parking. I've made good use of the facility on journeys where I simply need an overnight stop. What's different about this one? If it meant a more agreeable environment better separated from the trucks then that is worthwhile but at most M'way Services it's not difficult to find a suitable spot.
From this link. https://motorwayservicesonline.co.uk/Parking

How much will it cost to park for more than two hours?
"This varies by service area, where available, this information is included in the Services section. A general guideline would be £10 for cars (vehicles which use the car park) and £25 for other vehicles."


Isn't this just profiteering?
"To an extent it is - there's no need to monitor the number of free spaces overnight, and most of the people who do park there will be staying for several hours. If you believe the operators, then these charges are necessary to pay for the upkeep - see the pricing page. The Highways Agency have suggested that services allow free overnight parking.

When the car park is busy, the issue of needing a system to discourage people from staying for several hours is true though. Services have had to extend car parking areas to meet demand by taking away from caravans, coaches and lorries, and in turn have faced complaints from those."

Sorry, but it's not for me, when I can pull in to hopefully a quieter and safer overnight stop off, provided by a Local Authority, and where I would be welcome.

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
OK that's me done(y) Feedback sent, hopefully I haven't bored them to death or scared them off completely.

Martin
 
No-one has asked "why ?".

People need a reason to stop, I can't see what it is when the magnificent Lake District is just a few miles away.
My answer to that, is, think about it a little bit more and you will come up with the answer.

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Are you joking?

this would be a very useful stopoff on the way to or from Scotland.

much better than trying to find a campsite in the lake district for an overnight. Like aires work.
Beat me too it, although I didn’t provide the reasoning (y)
 
Pretty well all motorway services already offer overnight parking. I've made good use of the facility on journeys where I simply need an overnight stop. What's different about this one? If it meant a more agreeable environment better separated from the trucks then that is worthwhile but at most M'way Services it's not difficult to find a suitable spot.
For us, we don’t want to stay overnight in a truck stop. That’s reason enough for us (y)
 
A great idea and not too far from us, wish they were more around the UK, I will be sending some feedback too.

Would never stay overnight in a motorway service station area total rip off.
 
For us, we don’t want to stay overnight in a truck stop. That’s reason enough for us (y)
They're safe and can save a couple of hours on a journey by not leaving the motorway. Obviously they aren't a camping stop - simply a convenience and I too don't make a habit of using them. But they don't sound much different to the Penrith proposal.Some are in fact quite pleasant.

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