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Have your say on Motorway Service Areas

RowenaBCAMC replied on 04/04/2018 16:14

RowenaBCAMC profile picture Staff

RowenaBCAMC

Trailertenter

Posted on 04/04/2018 16:14

Club members often highlight issues with Motorway Service Areas to us, sometimes with positive comments, sadly quite often with concerns over things like caravan parking provisions. We’ve raised these concerns at National Towing Working Group* meetings, and in response, there’s now an opportunity to give your views on how you use Service Areas, and what your experience has been:

https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=152145866477

The survey is anonymous, and should only take around 5 minutes.

This survey will give us the opportunity to get your views directly into the regular discussions held between Highways England and the Service Area operators. Please note, you can give feedback on your experiences throughout the UK, not just with Service Areas in England, though.

 

* About the National Towing Working Group: The Club works closely with Highways England on a range of issues including road safety, congestion reduction and journey planning. One initiative they facilitate is the National Towing Working Group, bringing together many organisations and representatives from the whole towing sector, not just caravans. The group members work together to pool knowledge, research and expertise to come up with initiatives which will improve the safety and experience of towing road users on the strategic road network.

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replied on 20/08/2022 17:48

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Posted on 20/08/2022 17:48

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EmilysDad replied on 20/08/2022 20:01

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EmilysDad

Caravanner
Posted on 20/08/2022 17:48 by

Vehicles generally know as motorhomes are legally classified as Motor Caravans.  Just check your V5C.  As such it is a caravan and perfectly entitled to use Caravan Bays.  

Incidentally a common mistake made by local authorities is to put up signs saying no motorhome.  As legally motorhomes don't exist their signage is worthless.   

Posted on 20/08/2022 20:01

they might be entitled to use caravan bays, but when you turn up to services towing  caravan, it doesn't half p*** you off when you can't park because someone in a vehicle that could have easily parked elsewhere - whether that be a white van, 'motorhome' or some other lazy ******* that can't be 4r$ed to park where they could/should, means that you have to park with HGVs or have to drive on.

replied on 20/08/2022 20:24

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Posted on 20/08/2022 20:01 by EmilysDad

they might be entitled to use caravan bays, but when you turn up to services towing  caravan, it doesn't half p*** you off when you can't park because someone in a vehicle that could have easily parked elsewhere - whether that be a white van, 'motorhome' or some other lazy ******* that can't be 4r$ed to park where they could/should, means that you have to park with HGVs or have to drive on.

Posted on 20/08/2022 20:24

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SteveL replied on 20/08/2022 20:49

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SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire
Posted on 20/08/2022 20:01 by EmilysDad

they might be entitled to use caravan bays, but when you turn up to services towing  caravan, it doesn't half p*** you off when you can't park because someone in a vehicle that could have easily parked elsewhere - whether that be a white van, 'motorhome' or some other lazy ******* that can't be 4r$ed to park where they could/should, means that you have to park with HGVs or have to drive on.

Posted on 20/08/2022 20:49

Define easily when the car park is rammed? An all to common occurrence at busy times. MH’s are just as in need of a break as those towing caravans. What is the difference between you parking with the HGV’s and a MH.?

davetommo replied on 20/08/2022 22:38

davetommo profile picture Member

davetommo

Motorhomer from Lancashire
Posted on 20/08/2022 20:01 by EmilysDad

they might be entitled to use caravan bays, but when you turn up to services towing  caravan, it doesn't half p*** you off when you can't park because someone in a vehicle that could have easily parked elsewhere - whether that be a white van, 'motorhome' or some other lazy ******* that can't be 4r$ed to park where they could/should, means that you have to park with HGVs or have to drive on.

Posted on 20/08/2022 22:38

Problem with some motorhomes (motorcaravans) call them what you want is that they might need 4 car bays. They can be to long and to wide for 1 bay. Result they need 4 parking bays. Extra 1 behind and extra 2 at the side. That won’t go down well with the car people

 

 

 

 

 

brue replied on 21/08/2022 09:01

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brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 21/08/2022 09:01

Motorhomes can also find themselves blocked in by cars in ordinary parking areas, the amount of space to manoeuvre out can be reduced when things get busy. On the whole it's better if we use the designated areas. All OK in quieter times, much depends on the time of year and day.

 

 

 

MikeyA replied on 21/08/2022 10:23

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MikeyA

Caravanner
Posted on 20/08/2022 20:49 by SteveL

Define easily when the car park is rammed? An all to common occurrence at busy times. MH’s are just as in need of a break as those towing caravans. What is the difference between you parking with the HGV’s and a MH.?

Posted on 21/08/2022 10:23

It's far easier to reverse a motorhome into a gap between 2 wagons, than reversing a caravan into the same gap.

SteveL replied on 21/08/2022 12:09

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SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire
Posted on 21/08/2022 10:23 by MikeyA

It's far easier to reverse a motorhome into a gap between 2 wagons, than reversing a caravan into the same gap.

Posted on 21/08/2022 12:09

A fair point. When we towed I always went forwards into HGV spaces,  if no drive though ones were left. Found a straight reverse out easier. (Not so far to stay clear of the HGV) Wouldn’t be practical if you didn’t have a passenger to see you out though.

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