Motorway Services

Yes the Club should champion  it on our behalf, there is too much abuse of spaces supposed to be for caravans. One of the worst is the Maidstone services on the M20 and I regularly see cars parked in the spaces supposed to be for caravans at Norton Canes on the M6 toll and on occasions have had to go in the HGV area.

peedee

I doubt if I use motorway services more than twice a year. I have never had a problem other than the one time I misread the signs and found myself having to drive round a car parking area. 

These are the same ones we've had issues with each time we've gone there.  When we've been early for the tunnel and wanted to park up at Maidstone, it's been impossible due to cars and white van-man being parked there.  There aren't that many spaces for caravans/MHs to begin with anyway, and what I can't understand is that the normal car-parking spaces are just a few strides away from that area.  Why do people do it?

Haven't been to Norton Canes often, but on both occasions experienced the same as peedee above.

Man up and park with the HGVs.  There is always space and they are a friendly lot. I  know I used to be one.

I think I am right in saying that some service areas don't allow caravas/motorhomes to park in the HGV area. Twice in recent years I have been rebuked by HGV drivers for using the HGV parking areas. The truth is we just don't have enough parking areas on our motorways. 

David

There was a very recent thread in relation to this issue and whilst there will be a wide range of views and experiences I am not sure that encouraging caravans etc to us the HGV spaces is the solution. Our experiences of these areas are that they are not somewhere we would wish to park unless there was no alternative.

Well done DSB - yes there was a thread - I started it on the old forum - I don't know if it can be resurrected?  I think it would be a great idea if the club could champion our case for more spaces.  I think the consensus before was that Gloucester Services South (and the other Tebay that I haven't used) - was amongst the best and just down the road from Gloucester - Bridgewater one of the worst! 

Its all very well for HGVs to complain - I have found plenty of them in caravan slots! 

David it was a sticky before which might be a good idea again? 

I am mostly happy to park up with the HGVs but there are a few that are incredibly unsanitary places. 

I do think the only way we are going to get a positive response from anyone is to argue the necessity for more spaces on safety grounds.  From what I gather, I guess most service station areas are basically there to make money.  If a caravanner pulls up, 'brews up in the 'van' and then moves on, the service station will make no money.  If a car pulls up and the occupants go in for a £5 cup of coffee, then this is exactly what they want.  Is the safety of the motorist (ie being tired or desperate for the loo) really a prime concern in their effort to make a profit?

I wonder if Services are duty bound to provide some parking on safety grounds?  I would be interested to know how this works?

David 

If I remember correctly HGV drivers have campaigned for better parking without much success so as you say we are unlikely to be accommodated although I do think there is some planning provision when they set up the Services - perhaps someone will come along and enlighten us.