MBE13 replied on 06/07/2024 17:17
Posted on 06/07/2024 17:17
Just wanted to warn other Caravanners of the experience I had at Hopwood Park Services at Junction 2 on the M42 recently. Called in for the first time and followed signs for ‘Caravans’.
The bays provided were alarmingly narrow - much narrower than usual at service staions. Our Bailey Orion is only 2.19 metres wide but we had to squeeze between a newer wider caravan and a medium sized Motorhome, I had to do a bit of backwards and forwards to get my caravan parked exactly mid lines and in a straight line. Then we were so close to the caravan next to us we could not open the caravan door to get in and had to reverse until our door was behind the rear of that caravan. The Motorhome then driver had to fold in his nearside door mirror so I could open my car door
Some of the bays were unusable as the outfit parked had wheels on or just over the lines.
However, my main frustration was that parked Motorhomes outnumbered parked caravans by 2:1 despite the bays being clearly marked ‘CARAVANS ONLY’ - see attached picture from Google Earth (in a quiet season). The bays opposite (and some further down) were eminently suitable for Motorhomes and large Vans. I think it most inconsiderate of the Motorhomes to take up the few dedicated Caravan slots when they, and any similar sized delivery van have numerous other bays available. The only alternative for caravans is the HGV areas and then we are resented by the HGV drivers for taking their spaces.
I don’t know what the Clubs’ attitude to this is, and where Motorhomes are recommended to park, but to me it is simple, when bays are clearly marked ‘Caravans Only’, that is what is meant, ‘do not park here unless you are towing a caravan’.
Gallery
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MBE13