Parking in motorway service areas
We had a tricky time on recent touring trip when we pulled into a Motorway Service area (south bound M6) of a brand we hadn't visited with a caravan before. I don't want to name them at this stage but the sign for caravan parking led us into a car park with just 3 slots for caravans which were both too narrow and too short and without sufficient turning/ manoeuvring space -with other vehicles parked in part of them. This put us in a difficult position, inadvertently scraping the back of another car with the corner of the van. We obviously spoke to the owner of the car and gave insurance details etc, but I feel that the service station need to review their arrangements for caravan parking to avoid putting people in this position in the first place. I would have thought caravans should be directed to the coach/lorry parking rather than the carpark.
I would be interested to hear from anyone else who has had a similar experience.
I have tried to contact the organisation via their website, but not had an acknowledgement never mid a reply and was thinking of trying again/ taking it further.
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I think the reality is that there are just not enough service stations on our motorways. In France they have Rest Areas are every 10 kilometres and full Service Area more frequently than we do and the motorways are no where near as busy. I think we need to build a couple of dozen new service stations just to cope with lorries let alone caravans. I do agree that both Clubs could be more proactive in fighting our cause, perhaps they are but don't tell us. Unfortunately under the current system which seems to be that the Government decide where they are but give the responsibility to building and running them to people whose only interest is to provide the bare minimum and make the maximum amount of profit they never will improve, sad to say!
David
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Perhaps naming the service area for the benefit of other members might be an idea, GT.
Didn't we used to have a sticky about service areas?
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I think what is likely to get more response is a description and comment on a public forum like Facebook. Most of these organisations have FB pages and monitor them fairly closely. If they are getting adverse comments displayed in this way, there is a chance they might respond.
I was told that there wee some regulation that cover provision for caravans at service stations (but know no more than that), but guess that some of the services may be restricted because 'historically' may not have the facility or room. I find that some of the best services for caravans are the more modern ones - I'm thinking especially of Gloucester.
I actually brought up the very subject at the last Club Council Meeting stressing the worry that it was a safety issue that caravanners could not always pull over at service stations when tired. The matter has been passed to the Club's Technical Committee to see how the Club could support this and take it forward.
David
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Even when they are provided, albeit in limited numbers, they are all to frequently abused by cars, vans and mini buses. The first step would be to stop this abuse although to some extent I can see why vans prefer caravan slots but surely mini buses should use the coach parking areas which often look underused. Perhaps the HGV parking is miss labeled and should be designated "commercial vehicle parking"
peedee
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The bottom of the Service areas priority list is Caravans (and Motorhomes)!
"They park free, they use the conveniences, free, then they sit in their caravan and eat and drink their own food and drink....what more do they want?"
These are not my words but those of a senior person in the business.
Think about it
The operators only mark 'Caravan' parking to satisfy their contract obligations so it's pot luck folks and if you find a free bay you are very lucky
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We have been to the services mentioned as I can remember both of us commenting about the three tight pitches. With a motorhome we would have been better in the car park. Genuinely can't remember the name! Another one to watch is Strensham south where we've seen vans clipping the kerb as they leave, have seen one get badly damaged.
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Interesting to read everyone's comments - and that as suspected it's not an isolated experience. The service station question was Keele on SB M6.
I haven't had a response to an email I sent them so I will perhaps pursue the suggestion of putting adverse review on FB.
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If there isn't room to park easily in a caravan bay I quickly give up and go somewhere else - usually with the HGVs.
But everyone should beware Bridgwater services on the M5 - don't even go there. Ever.
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Yesterday we pulled in on the northbound services on the M6 at Charnock Richard, we weren't in the MH but in our car. Although it was busy of course, at lunchtime on a Saturday in July, there were parking spaces. Pretty near where you enter it, there are caravan parking spaces, clearly marked. Didn't count them, but estimated about 10, possibly 12 spaces. In front of us was a car/caravan, who couldn't park in any of those spaces as most were taken up by cars. Just 1 MH parked there, the rest all cars. Just on the other side were 3 car parking spaces, one of which we used. People just can't be bothered looking further than the first space they see I think, but it does give problems for MHs and car/caravan outfits. The signs clearly said "Caravans only" but that obviously isn't enforced.
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not been there but just Street Viewed it and shows 6 spaces marked C'VAN (all too short for a car/caravan and will require reversing in or out) and four of the six occupied by White Van Men...
interestingly, the same 'shot' also showed a Traffic Police vehicle 'patrolling'..... I wonder how many of the six were 'spoken to'?
if theyre not pulled up by Traffic Enforcement who will kick them?
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I've just looked at the one we used yesterday, and there are 10 spaces. They are long enough for car/caravan and you can drive in, then drive forwards out of it, turn left, then right to the exit. They are in a good position, but unfortunately that's what car drivers think too.....
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Cobham on M25 is very good for caravans, although on 16 July at mid day 1 slot was occupied by an HGV! Fleet on M3 uses the HGV park, which is not a big problem but can require reversing out and the exit route is not clearly signposted. I think in general to put caravans in the HGV park is the best solution.
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Hope you do decide to put something on their Facebook page. I'd also stress the safety aspect of not being able to pull up when tired and tell them you had no response to the email. Fingers crossed you will get a FB reply.
I'm following this thread with interest.
David
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Traffic Police vehicle 'patrolling'
BB.....it's not a Police vehicle at all.......(I'm assuming you are referring to the liveried Disco that appears in some of the street view pictures?).
Real police officers are too expensive for the government (this and others), these are Highways Agency officers who have no Police powers...............
Regardless of that significant point I assume that parking enforcement on private property is down to the site owner which of course they should be doing.....neither the police or the Highways Agency would have any powers in this regard.....
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There is an easy answer to this do not use them,swing off and use a layby if you need a rest or break,after all we are tourists.
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I think that is fine if you know where you are going, but on some roads there are a distinct lack of lay-by's. Depending on the time of day and the road some can get very full with lorries/transport vehicles who also have to stop because of their tachograph. I'm sure this varies widely, but the A5 between the A449 roundabout at Gailey and Tamworth is sometimes difficult for a car to pull over, let alone a car worth a caravan.
I guess in a country where space is becoming g a premium, the whole situation is more likely to get worse than better.
David
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One of the problems with leaving a motorway to find a nearby layby is they are usually full with empty cars, the occupants have gone to work or wherever in a car share or have been taken on somewhere. Many do this to save parking fees at services.
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I am only a year into towing and am a sole tower.
Is there anywhere where fellow caravaners have listed recommended services to use. I'm hoping to travel from Essex to Blackpool in June so would ideally be using M1, M54, M62 and M6 - thanks in advance
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You can use GoogleEarth to zoom in and look at any part of your route too get an idea of whether it is suitable for a break. You can use 'street view' to do a virtual drive round.
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We often use Norton Canes on the M6 Toll (discount on tolls for Club members) It has a nice parking area for caravans and clearly marked although it is popular.
David
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I'd agree about the toll road services, they are generally quieter. We use Stafford Services a lot, look out for the separate caravan area just before the lorry turn, but you'll find the north bound services packed with lorries through the lunch hour. South bound are better but you will find other vehicles parked there too. Keele services, if I recall is parking with the lorries unless there is space round the edge.
As CY suggests, do google earth to get a better view.
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Motorway services are for the use of all road users. --- HGV drivers have to have rest every so often and the Service operator make provision for those drivers. The remaining drivers, who don't have restricted driving hours quite simply have to park in the services parking area as best they can-----. or park in a layby away from the motorway......... Caravanners have their own toilets on board and the ability to provide their own meals, so don't really need to use Services, unless they want to fill up with fuel at extortionate prices. I travel down to the south of England and back to Scotland each year and I have never found a problem parking on any services in the UK. Sometimes it involves reversing either into or out of parking spaces but that's no problem.
K
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There can be problems Kennine, if you are a frequent motorway user and not just once a year. Our experience of being hemmed in by lorries at Stafford North (in the caravan area) was one I recall well even though the lorry drivers apologised we were unable to get out till they were ready to leave. We totally understood their parking problems too.
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Slightly off topic, but we stopped at Cullompton a couple of weeks back, not towing, and parked up near the HGV area at the far end of the services. We were amazed and very impressed at the skill of those drivers reversing huge vehicless into the narrowest of spaces, including one Argos driver with a double truck who reversed straight into a gap between two artics with barely a glance in the mirrors! Great respect to those guys!
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Err, not the whole of the UK by any means.
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