Motorway Services
No doubt there has been a thread before on this subject, but I would be interested in collecting folks thoughts about Motorway Services and whether any of you have problems in getting a space to park when you are towing a caravan. If there are certain services that are more difficult for caravanners and motorhomers.
What concerns me is the aspect of tiredness. In March 2098 the government launched the THINK! driver tiredness campaign. Although I believe this was aimed mainly at those in the transport industry, it could also be an issue if caravanners need to stop because of tiredness, but have had found difficulty in doing so because of the poor parking facilities at Services. There are usually sufficient spaces to pull over if you are just driving in a car, but I'd be interested I your experience in a motorhome or when towing a caravan. If this is a safety issue (in practice), I just wonder if it is something the Club should champion on our behalf.
I would be interested to hear of practical experiences.
David
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Yes the Club should champion it on our behalf, there is too much abuse of spaces supposed to be for caravans. One of the worst is the Maidstone services on the M20 and I regularly see cars parked in the spaces supposed to be for caravans at Norton Canes on the M6 toll and on occasions have had to go in the HGV area.
peedee
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These are the same ones we've had issues with each time we've gone there. When we've been early for the tunnel and wanted to park up at Maidstone, it's been impossible due to cars and white van-man being parked there. There aren't that many spaces for caravans/MHs to begin with anyway, and what I can't understand is that the normal car-parking spaces are just a few strides away from that area. Why do people do it?
Haven't been to Norton Canes often, but on both occasions experienced the same as peedee above.
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Man up and park with the HGVs. There is always space and they are a friendly lot. I know I used to be one.
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I think I am right in saying that some service areas don't allow caravas/motorhomes to park in the HGV area. Twice in recent years I have been rebuked by HGV drivers for using the HGV parking areas. The truth is we just don't have enough parking areas on our motorways.
David
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There was a very recent thread in relation to this issue and whilst there will be a wide range of views and experiences I am not sure that encouraging caravans etc to us the HGV spaces is the solution. Our experiences of these areas are that they are not somewhere we would wish to park unless there was no alternative.
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Well done DSB - yes there was a thread - I started it on the old forum - I don't know if it can be resurrected? I think it would be a great idea if the club could champion our case for more spaces. I think the consensus before was that Gloucester Services South (and the other Tebay that I haven't used) - was amongst the best and just down the road from Gloucester - Bridgewater one of the worst!
Its all very well for HGVs to complain - I have found plenty of them in caravan slots!
David it was a sticky before which might be a good idea again?
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I do think the only way we are going to get a positive response from anyone is to argue the necessity for more spaces on safety grounds. From what I gather, I guess most service station areas are basically there to make money. If a caravanner pulls up, 'brews up in the 'van' and then moves on, the service station will make no money. If a car pulls up and the occupants go in for a £5 cup of coffee, then this is exactly what they want. Is the safety of the motorist (ie being tired or desperate for the loo) really a prime concern in their effort to make a profit?
I wonder if Services are duty bound to provide some parking on safety grounds? I would be interested to know how this works?
David
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If I remember correctly HGV drivers have campaigned for better parking without much success so as you say we are unlikely to be accommodated although I do think there is some planning provision when they set up the Services - perhaps someone will come along and enlighten us.
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On one occasion on a motorway caravans parking area a police patrol car was in the last available space,but he did move when i pulled up behind him and told him that the rear of our outfit was blocking the access road
, Its HGVs that are the problem usually in caravan bays, I cannot remember which services it is but the bays need a reverse into ,we were having lunch,(we never leave outfit unattended) ,and there was a heated argument started when a motor caravan reversed into one that had a car already there ,the car moved
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We haven't used motorway services when towing for years, they are seldom a nice experience in any way shape or form, other than in an emergency. sole exception are those at Gloucester, fairly newly opened. A lot better thought out, but always packed.
Our preference is and will remain to do part of our journey off the motorway network and find somewhere more pleasant to take a break, walk the dogs, buy cheaper fuel, etc....
However, good luck with this, not everyone chooses as we do, and it could do with improvements.
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I think one of the problems is, unlike for coach parking, there are no penalty notices for incorrect vehicles parking in the wrong place. Not everybody takes notice of these but with CCTV surveillance it should not be too difficult to police.
peedee
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Like most things if the will is there it can usually happen and, in our experience, there is no will on the part of operators to control parking unless it results in obstruction so affecting their income.
The only two that we use with any regularity are Gloucester and Leigh Delamere and at LD it is often the case that the clearly indicated areas for caravans only are used by others types of vehicle.
In the spirit of TDAs post I can suggest that stopping at Cribbs Causeway in the coach parking area is allowed and we sometimes get fuel at ASDA then park up and have a browse and a coffee.
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This is one of my hobby horses !!
I use the services north of Cambridge on the A14. Apart from the fact that the location must have been designed by an idiot having no idea of how one might drive a caravan into the spaces right in the middle of the parking area, they are too short for all but the smallest outfits. They are frequently full (or nearly so) with cars and white van man including on one occasion a police van.
I have responded to similar threads in the past suggesting that the Club should take this subject up with the Ministry of Transport - but, as I also said previously, I won't hold my breath. They will be busy thinking up further new ideas for re-branding rather than looking after the interests of caravanners and motorhomers.
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Does anyone know how service stations on motorways are commissioned? I wonder if when a new service area is planned it is put out to tender and the design left to the successful bidder who also foot the bill? The Department of Transport seems set against any parking only rest stops so does that indicate that because to do so would cost the Government money?
David
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We have noticed increased lorry numbers, they are often short of space and at certain times of the day they are filling van spaces. Since they have to take legal breaks there is a lot of pressure on van spaces.
We use motorways a lot especially for long distance travel. Unusually for us we are meandering at the moment but the search for suitable rest places isn't always easy.
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I only use Motorway Services on a long journey when I don't want to wander away from the route and rarely spend money in them. I did stop at one in Yorkshire somewhere - newish? And there was an attendant who first asked me what my business was - and I didn't enlighten him - and then told me I would have a 20 minute wait for a parking space????? The bus park was empty but no chance of stopping there even briefly with the Traffic Warden! I won't be stopping there again! The idea might be good - but a 20 minute wait to park? I don't think so!
It also appears to me if I can avoid needing a break between 12 and just after 1 - there are often plenty of parking spaces.
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And that is why the operators are reluctant to improve facilities for Caravans. The reluctance of the caravanner to part with money!
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It was possibly the newish services at Wetherby. We use these when solo, good services, if you can get in. Very popular, hence the attendant.
Dedicated spaces for cars and caravans will need a huge amount of space beyond say half a dozen, and they won't be as well used in the colder months, so getting dedicated, Caravan specific bays will not be an easy task. If money can be made from it, say an overnight slot, then maybe it will be possible. Taunton Deane charged as I recall, but you did get breakfast!
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Last year coming home from cornwall we stopped at Glouster services north, they have a nice caravan/motorhome spot, but while we where there, 2 seperate women come and parked their cars their, we cant park out outfit in the car bays.
But my biggest gripe on motorway services is the fuel pumps, go to the car pumps their is a low canopy, and on some a tight bend to get to the pumps,
go to the L.G.V. the pump is fast, but I could cope with that, but the nozzle is too big for a car.
When towing to cornwall I carry 2x 10 liter cans of D.E.R.V. so I can top up in the caravan park
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That is exactly the reason for asking in my OP if folk have experienced difficulty in getting parking places. If one can argue it is a safety issue - not being able to find a space to park when too tired to drive, the perhaps the Club might be more able to champion the cause with the government. If it is a safety issue then the relevant government department may be able to lay down conditions when the application is made to open a service area.
David
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I am pretty sure I am not alone in wanting to stay with my caravan at MServices - for security - but there are occasions when I duck in quickly for some food.
Yes it was Wetherby - where the attendant annoyed me! Seriously would you wait 20 minutes for a parking slot? The idea is good to have an attendant I guess - but... it didn't work for me that day!
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The answer is if there is a lorry parked in a caravan space take his picture and send it to their employer I did this when on the M4 just after leaving the Severn Bridge into Wales. The lorry in question was a well known company he got the sack for being parked there. This is all you have to do. When I find the pic i'll post it here.
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We rarely leave ours unattended. OH goes to the loo mainly to stretch her legs (she ain't that tall!) and possibly buy a newspaper for the crossword later I may well use the caravan toilet but stretch my legs around the caravan and maybe have a coke.
We only use the services as a break if travelling more than 3.5 hours. As my arthritis kicks in with my spine at around three hours that is infrequent nowadays
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