Motorway Services

I only use Motorway Services on a long journey when I don't want to wander away from the route and rarely spend money in them.  I did stop at one in Yorkshire somewhere - newish?  And there was an attendant who first asked me what my business was - and I didn't enlighten him - and then told me I would have a 20 minute wait for a parking space?????  The bus park was empty but no chance of stopping there even briefly with the Traffic Warden!  I won't be stopping there again!  The idea might be good - but a 20 minute wait to park?  I don't think so! 

It also appears to me if I can avoid needing a break between 12 and just after 1 - there are often plenty of parking spaces. 

One of the added problems is if you pull off the motorway to find a layby these are all full of  empty cars left by owners getting lifts to work etc. This is to avoid parking charges at services and who can blame them?!

And that is why the operators are reluctant to improve facilities for Caravans. The reluctance of the caravanner to part with money!

It was possibly the newish services at Wetherby. We use these when solo, good services, if you can get in. Very popular, hence the attendant.

Dedicated spaces for cars and caravans will need a huge amount of space beyond say half a dozen, and they won't be as well used in the colder months, so getting dedicated, Caravan specific bays will not be an easy task. If money can be made from it, say an overnight slot, then maybe it will be possible. Taunton Deane charged as I recall, but you did get breakfast! 

Last year coming home from cornwall we stopped at Glouster services north, they have a nice caravan/motorhome spot, but while we where there, 2 seperate women come and parked their cars their, we cant park out outfit in the car bays.

But my biggest gripe on motorway services is the fuel pumps, go to the car pumps their is a low canopy, and on some a tight bend to get to the pumps,

go to the L.G.V.  the pump is fast, but I could cope with that, but the nozzle is too big for a car.

When towing to cornwall I carry 2x 10 liter cans of D.E.R.V.  so I   can top up in the caravan park

HGVs  drivers spend even less, just use the loos then have a kip and use the c/van parking to do it

That is exactly the reason for asking in my OP if folk have experienced difficulty in getting parking places.  If one can argue it is a safety issue - not being able to find a space to park when too tired to drive, the perhaps the Club might be more able to champion the cause with the government.  If it is a safety issue then the relevant government department may be able to lay down conditions when the application is made to open a service area.

David

I am pretty sure I am not alone in wanting to stay with my caravan at MServices - for security - but there are occasions when I duck in quickly for some food. 

Yes it was Wetherby - where the attendant annoyed me!  Seriously would you wait 20 minutes for a parking slot?  The idea is good to have an attendant I guess - but...  it didn't work for me that day! 

The answer is if there is a lorry parked in a caravan space take his picture and send it to their employer I did this when on the M4 just after leaving the Severn Bridge into Wales. The lorry in question was a well known company he got the sack for being parked there. This is all you have to do. When I find the pic i'll post it here.

We rarely leave ours unattended. OH goes to the loo mainly to stretch her legs (she ain't that tall!) and possibly buy a newspaper for the crossword later  I may well use the caravan toilet but stretch my legs around the caravan and maybe have a coke. 

We only use the services as a break if travelling more than 3.5 hours. As my arthritis kicks in with my spine at around three hours that is infrequent nowadays