Parking in motorway service areas

If there isn't room to park easily in a caravan bay  I quickly give up and go somewhere else - usually with the HGVs.  

But everyone should beware Bridgwater services on the M5 - don't even go there. Ever. 

Yesterday we pulled in on the northbound services on the M6 at Charnock Richard, we weren't in the MH but in our car.  Although it was busy of course, at lunchtime on a Saturday in July, there were parking spaces. Pretty near where you enter it, there are caravan parking spaces, clearly marked.  Didn't count them, but estimated about 10, possibly 12 spaces. In front of us was a car/caravan, who couldn't park in any of those spaces as most were taken up by cars.  Just 1 MH parked there, the rest all cars.  Just on the other side were 3 car parking spaces, one of which we used.  People just can't be bothered looking further than the first space they see I think, but it does give problems for MHs and car/caravan outfits.  The signs clearly said "Caravans only" but that obviously isn't enforced.

not been there but just Street Viewed it and shows 6 spaces marked C'VAN (all too short for a car/caravan and will require reversing in or out) and four of the six occupied by White Van Men...

interestingly, the same 'shot' also showed a Traffic Police vehicle 'patrolling'..... I wonder how many of the six were 'spoken to'?

if theyre not pulled up by Traffic Enforcement who will kick them?

That's the one we used, couldn't remember the name, have used it many times with a car but with a van it was an eye opener. Would normally choose Stafford services but can guarantee works vans and lorries on there at certain times!

I've just looked at the one we used yesterday, and there are 10 spaces. They are long enough for car/caravan and you can drive in, then drive forwards out of it, turn left, then right to the exit.  They are in a good position, but unfortunately that's what car drivers think too.....

Cobham on M25 is very good for caravans, although on 16 July at mid day 1 slot was occupied by an HGV! Fleet on M3 uses the HGV park, which is not a big problem but can require reversing out and the exit route is not clearly signposted. I think in general to put caravans in the HGV park is the best solution.

Hope you do decide to put something on their Facebook page.  I'd also stress the safety aspect of not being able to pull up when tired and tell them you had no response to the email.  Fingers crossed you will get a FB reply.

I'm following this thread with interest.

David

Traffic Police vehicle 'patrolling'

BB.....it's not a Police vehicle at all.......(I'm assuming you are referring to the liveried Disco that appears in some of the street view pictures?).

Real police officers are too expensive for the government (this and others), these are Highways Agency officers who have no Police powers...............

Regardless of that significant point I assume that parking enforcement on private property is down to the site owner which of course they should be doing.....neither the police or the Highways Agency would have any powers in this regard.....

There is an easy answer to this do not use them,swing off and use a layby if you need a rest or break,after all we are tourists.

I think that is fine if you know where you are going, but on some roads there are a distinct lack of lay-by's.  Depending on the time of day and the road some can get very full with lorries/transport vehicles who also have to stop because of their tachograph.  I'm sure this varies widely, but the A5 between the A449 roundabout at Gailey and Tamworth is sometimes difficult for a car to pull over, let alone a car worth a caravan.

I guess in a country where space is becoming g a premium, the whole situation is more likely to get worse than better. 

David