Overnight campers' action
Comments
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The Station car park at West Bay is another location that would cause no aggro to the locals if MH's overnighted there. I had intended to break my journey home from Cornwall there back in September but because of the local bye-laws had to move on.
What is it that is so objectionable about someone asleep in their motorhome?
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with regard to Aires, they are stopping places, not camping places..
once you start getting out the tables and chairs you are camping.
this is what the signs refer to...no camping....but, generally, overnighting isn't a problem....
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What is it that is so objectionable about someone asleep in their motorhome? I have no objection what so ever, have slept in my caravan in motorway svc stations, having paid the fee if one was due. The problem is that one MH becomes 2=4=6=8, as has been witnessed in Cornwall for example, not by me but by others in posts on this forum, and then out of the 8 you only need 1 to do all the objectable things MH's, yes and caravaners, do and then everybody gets tarred by the same brush, and worse, overnight sleep overs turn into 3 week holidays. I am pleased that Gosport and Fareham councils have been pro-active rather than re-active in trying to avoid a Cornwall situation. I know some people in my area even object to MH in local car parks during the day even though they are legally parked and only doing what people do in their cars, my guess is it is size that matters, i heard the term "sun blockers" used in Spain, i guess the same could be true here, and some local car parks do have height barriers but at one that i know of the council have provided special bays for vehicles over i think 2.5 mtrs in height. My only answer to the problem would be to use a recognised camp site, i think most areas have one available 24x7x365, we have the Kingfisher, never used it but it looks ok, is very close to beach, excellent bus service right outside to Southampton, Fareham, Gosport, Lee on the Solent.
I haven't a clue either but it's time we put it all to bed! please
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I’m puzzled by your ongoing references to Cornwall, Rufs. We had a bad situation in Marazion some years back and it was dealt with. Other than that, I’m not aware of the county having a problem apart from some clifftop wildcampers here and there - no different from many other areas, which goes for the car park regs as well.
It would be more logical if you referred to the Exmouth situation which is current.
PS. Welcome back. 🙂
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Briefly back because we are not discussing the merits or de-merits of beach huts/chalets. i am not an authority on Cornwall, although have visited many times and love it, my observations our based on what others have posted on this forum. It would appear that there was a bad sitiuation in Marazion which was overcome by what some seem to liken to draconian methods by the LC, which i believe are still in place. Exmouth i believe, again from reading reports on this forum take a much more liberal view to lets call it "camping". Each to their own, I am very happy with the approach Fareham/Gosport LC are taking to ensure that wild camping or any form of camping that could be detrimental to the area does not become a problem. I know that in Lee on the Solent in particular there is the capability to park on the promenade i think legally and sleep in your MH or even caravan for that matter i guess, and i have seen the best and the worst of this particular activity, provided your vehicles have the legel right to be on the public highway, but i am sure the LC's are monitoring this situation very carefully, watch this space
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If sleeping in your vehicle in a car-parking area in the UK is a dreadful offence, then I for one am guilty. ------Many's the time when wanting an early start to the ascent of a particular mountain we left home in the early hours of the morning and on arrival at the appropriate car parking area, slept in the car until the dawn. --------Reading some of the posts on this thread, I must have been committing some terrible crime.. ---------Chill out people-- Sleeping in a vehicle is not some dreadful criminal act.
K
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The East Devon District Council’s approach for Exmouth seems sensible and if successful could well be used elsewhere in East Devon. The problem however is the length limit for motorhomes would likely exclude most
http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/councillors-approve-overnight-campervans-in-exmouth-car-parks-1-5302417
East Devon District Council0 -
This is the official East Devon council information. The Imperial Park bit is popular due to it's coastal location and water sports area although this has been limited too. The council want to protect wild life in the estuary. The parking is on a two year trial.
edit The park sea front area is pleasant for an overnight stay but there are no safety spacings and it can be noisy with evening visitors.
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A few years ago our MH buddies were showing us pics of their holiday I commented that there did not even seem to be enough room for a table and chairs. He explained that on Aires you could stop and sleep but 'not set up camp'.
I could then see why the spacing always seemed so close and if you want space you go to a campsite.
Re Cornwall I am not aware of any reported issues and, as said by others, no more than the usual small numbers 'winging' it from time to time.
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When we were on a club rally in Exmouth this year we were next to the Imperial Park, I think it probably cost us less per night than the overnight motorhome parking charges and we weren't quite as close to the the various activities going on including the visiting circus. There are several rallies on the Exmouth Rugby club fields through the summer including a motorhome rally. These are just seconds from the seafront, station and town centre. Exmouth has done a good job welcoming the van fraternity.
The photo is taken in Imperial Park and the overnight parking is alongside this area.
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I haven't read anyone saying that at all K but I have read what Cornwall council defines as a motorhome when they don't want overnight parking in official car parks. Some councils are obviously making an effort to address public concerns, some to the detriment of motorhomes users and some to be more accommodating.
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“We are not trying to attract any more campervans or motorhomes to Exmouth. This is about the problem we have already. extract from your article.
but are they saying Exmouth is overloaded and they dont want to attract any more?, do they think the car park allocation will meet the existing demand only?, what happens when they become full
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It's a two year trial and as I said Exmouth welcomes a large number of town centre rallies too. The town did have a problem with motorhomers overnighting on the sea front which has now been controlled to a great extent. If you don't like what is happening in your area you will need to do what the Exmouth residents did and get into discussions with local councillors, perhaps show them what Exmouth has done?
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What they are saying is simple enough. They don't want overnight motorhome parking to effect certain areas and have made an alternative provision for up to 72 hour stays. As it is a trial as Brue points out they will consider its usage and any profitability during the trial.
'The increasing number of motorhomes and similar types of vehicles using Exmouth seafront for extended stays has been causing growing concern among local residents and Exmouth Town Council in recent years.
This prompted a “task and finish forum” to be set up by Exmouth Town Council, East Devon District Council and Devon County Council last year to look into the issue. Together the authorities have been reviewing how best to manage parking for campervans in the area.
As part of the new scheme, “motor caravans” will be banned between 8pm and 8am along sections of Imperial Road and Queens Drive (spur road to Orcombe Point). There will also be a 24-hour restriction on motor caravans along sections of Queen's Drive.
Alongside the new restrictions introduced by Devon County Council, East Devon District Council has also advertised amendments to its off-street parking, which will allow Motor Caravans to park overnight in three long stay car parks in Exmouth - Imperial Road Recreation Ground, Queens Drive Echelon, and also in Maer Road as soon as its entrance has been upgraded.'
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Our LC's are working very well to be proactive in this area and our problems are relatively small at the moment, we dont have the same visitor attractions of Devon & Cornwall e.g. masses of sandy beaches, big surfs, the Solent beaches are mainly pebbles, no surf but we do have a large kite boading and wind surfing community but they are not a problem, mainly they use small campervans and lots are locals.
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They don't appear to be as forward looking as Exmouth council though. They could designate two or three MH slots both at Hillhead and Portchester castle, as could Gosport BC at Stokes Bay with a 24/48 limit.
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Oh i agree, and possibly down at meon shore, and the cark park at Monks Hill which i have described previously would be perfect especially out of season, and if they then restricted parking on the promenade it would stop residents in the apartments across the road complaining.
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I think some of this comes down to cost 24/48 hour limit, perhaps charging £10, they all cost money to implement/police, and yes they could reap profits, but try convincing strap cashed councils that. I know we already have enforcers out policing exisiting car parks and surely their role could be extended, but eh! i am just a mere mortal, we could try honesty boxes
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I’m not quoting your entire earlier post, Rufs, but only one or two people have referred to Cornwall and the Marazion situation has been sorted. I would hardly call the Council’s measures in banning MHs from some car parks as draconian.
You speak as if you are an authority on the subject and then say you’re not, as is clearly the case. Take a look at the Exmouth situation as others have described. It could well be what suits you. In fact I suggested it as a template in my very first post in this thread.
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Agree TW. I mentioned Marazion, it was mainly foreign MHs parking up, and we noticed increase from our first time down there, 2000 up until I think 2010 when it changed. Mounts Bay is possibly the most iconic view in Cornwall, but you couldn’t pull up at roadside to take a look as the road from Marazion round into Longrock was lined nose to tail with MHs and campervans. Now it’s lovely, with car parks at either ends, easy access to beach and wonderful views over Marazion Marshes to St Michaels Mount.
Cant say we noticed problems with MH overnight anywhere else in Cornwall.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10535003
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TW here is something really controversial to get your teeth into from ttda link
Ted Vallis, 82, from Bristol said he parks for a fortnight every year along the sea wall.
He said: "I've been here for a fortnight, and I've got the sea front, and can see straight down into the water."
Mr Vallis said he would continue to take advantage of the free parking until it became illegal.
seems to sink the notion somewhere on this site where somebody said MH owners normally move on after 3 days as they need to empty tank and refill with water etc
yes the quote is from 2010 but is it still valid ?0 -
"TW here is something really controversial to get your teeth into…"
Nope, why would I want to? It wasn’t me who said anything about the duration of their stays.
"…is it still valid?"
Sorry, no idea but that was the very reason the measures were brought in so I doubt it.
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