Have your say on Motorway Service Areas

RowenaBCAMC replied on 04/04/2018 16:14

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.

Vanbirds68 replied on 05/04/2018 23:17

Posted on 05/04/2018 21:54 by Chippy Dave

A motorhome is too wide for a car park space, it would be taking up 2 or 4 spaces due to width and length

Posted on 05/04/2018 23:17

If you can get into the car park does it matter if you take up two or more spaces? Surely that is better than taking up a caravan space...

DavidKlyne replied on 06/04/2018 00:23

Posted on 05/04/2018 20:53 by EmilysDad

Why wouldn't a motorhome be expected to park on the car park? While they're obviously bigger than a car,  they're nothing like the 40' plus of a car & caravan.

Posted on 06/04/2018 00:23

As Chippy Dave says with a large coach built motorhome you are likely to be encroaching on up to 4 parking bays. There is also the issue that quite a few parking areas don't have drive through parking bays. You would also be relying on there being bays available in order to pull in and straighten up. Service Stations seem so full these days you would be unlike to find the space you need to manoeuvre safely into place. 

bill replied on 06/04/2018 08:01

Posted on 06/04/2018 08:01

Avoid them like the plaque unless absolutely desperate but I must be in the minority as they, even at their prices, seem always to be full and make good profits.  On a caravan security talk recently and the police warn of the very high number of caravans stolen from motorway services areas as most people park with very few security devices fitted as opposed to when sited.

bill replied on 06/04/2018 08:02

Posted on 06/04/2018 08:02

Worth checking a future route/journey on Google Earth to find large suitable laybys that do exist.  Don't overfill your caravan so that you can sit inside for refreshments.

replied on 06/04/2018 08:09

Posted on 05/04/2018 23:17 by Vanbirds68

If you can get into the car park does it matter if you take up two or more spaces? Surely that is better than taking up a caravan space...

Posted on 06/04/2018 08:09

I rarely go near parking areas in services but have a few times in the last few years wen solo. I don't think that many car parks will have 4 spaces together that are free.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 06/04/2018 08:18

Posted on 05/04/2018 20:53 by EmilysDad

Why wouldn't a motorhome be expected to park on the car park? While they're obviously bigger than a car,  they're nothing like the 40' plus of a car & caravan.

Posted on 06/04/2018 08:18

Maybe Moho’s should be able to book a place to be saved😂😂😂

Oneputt replied on 06/04/2018 09:49

Posted on 06/04/2018 09:49

Been on one busy service station in Kent where a member of staff kick non towing vehicles out of the caravan parking slots.  Can’t remember the name but it’s on the Dover carriageway, Bravo to them

harryb replied on 06/04/2018 10:04

Posted on 06/04/2018 10:04

Posted on 06/04/2018 09:49 by Oneputt 

Been on one busy service station in Kent where a member of staff kick non towing vehicles out of the caravan parking slots.  Can’t remember the name but it’s on the Dover carriageway, Bravo to them

......and about time too.

Why can't they all do this. I was once asked to leave the HGV area once whilst towing. It wasn't half full but the caravan bays were.

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