Aires in the UK

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I'm not sure about the selfishness argument. Many book multiple sites a year in advance and rush to get "the best pitch". That looks quite a lot like "me,me,me" from here. Equally the "catering for a specific group" is also spurious. I  have neither a dog nor children yet there is expenditure to provide these facilities. In the public domain, provision of cycle lanes serve only a specific sector of the community as do 'subsidised' bus routes. All these things are seen in the context of a wider public good. Cannot the provision of aires be seen in the same context?

The only true argument seems to be the economic one yet it does seem successful "over there" and indeed there is a quite extensive chain providing such a service in France - CampingCarPark.com.

The motor-home in the uk is often seen as something to be avoided and blocked by many local authorities. Small car parks, small spaces, height restrictions on some street parking and height barriers, no sleeping overnight restrictions and even some no cooking signs, even some park and rides make it difficult or impossible and as a result I think we are a long way from uk aires just yet.

We tend to go somewhere more inviting as we have no desire to impose ourselves or indeed spend in a town which doesn't welcome us. One town I recall which was accommodating was Lyme Regis, large vehicle spaces, aimed at motor-homes and mini buses, and the same price as a car space to boot. Skipton in North Yorks also has a few MH only bays, with overnight stays permitted, but these are quite rare finds.

Some flaws in your reasoning there CY

I have neither a dog nor children yet there is expenditure to provide these facilities

On club sites you mean? In which case you don't have to join the club. You can keep your money in your pockek and decide what to do with it.  In parks and in society ? Well I would say there are significantly far more children and dogs in society than MH and the welfare of children is of more importance than letting the MH onwers have somewhere to park overnight? Certainly in my book anyway.  

In the public domain, provision of cycle lanes serve only a specific sector of the community as do 'subsidised' bus routes. All these things are seen in the context of a wider public good.

Again nothing to do with a wider public good, In 2018 42% of British people have access to a bike, 28% use them on a regular basis, that is about 18.5 million people. When MH owners approach this level then perhaps public money should be spent on them?

And again bus routes are subsidised to allow people to be able to use and have buses, these are necessities for some, not everyone was as fortunate as you to have an apartment in the sun and to be able to afford a MH now. Some use them to be able to work?

It is also about reducing pollution levels which you have often talked about?

So the wider public good, your phrase, how is spending public money on giving you, or one cheap overnight accommodation in your MH in the wider public good?

There is a Marguis MH dealer just on the main bus route into Newcastle nearby. Right out front are all the expensive models, £40,000+ some at £60,000. Do you think that those using the bus every morning would look at those figures and would think it perfectly OK for their taxes be used to pay for those buying MH to be given cheaper overnight, or even free stays? Those MH probably cost easily more than their yearly pay.

Never mind it is successful over there, how can you justify that CY over here?

If it was, why are entrepreneurs not jumping on the bandwagon?

errr...... Britstops!

peedee

I can see two reasons for the provision of aires in the UK. Both are financial reasons.

To bring people into a town area etc to spend their money and add to the local economy. A job for local authorities. Many do make provision at Park and Rides and some, as Biggarmac mentions, by allowing overnight parking, often with a specific charge band typically between 6pm and 8am or similar. 

Purely to create income. Up to the private sector if somebody thinks it worthwhile financially.

I can't see otherwise why provision should be made. If motorhomers etc are wanting these facilities in sufficient numbers they could band together as a club and start purchasing or leasing land, acquiring the necessary planning and installing waste and water. The private section obviously does not see it as a viable option or else there are greater returns to be had from other sectors.

Perhaps the way to go is to try and interest somebody like CampingCarPark.com. Perhaps they would welcome the chance to expand into the UK market. They came from a very small concern to one with several hundred sites in only a few years.

We have only had a MH just over a year and used their sites last Autumn. Some had clearly been local authority run before, possibly with no charge, as evidenced by street view images. CCP had taken them over, put in an automated barrier system and revamped service point and now manage them. I've no idea on the financials with the local authority. At the very least they get increased footfall into their town / village. One we stayed on would be classified a brown field site, on old industrial land by the Rhone.

As to cost, although I thought them good value, they vary between 10 and 13€ a night.

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Those using the bus could say much the same for many if not most occupants of club sites. Did your outfit combined  cost less?  mine didnt.
 

And probably would if it was proposed to facilitate them. 

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