Some interesting Facts and Figures AIRES REPORT NOW ADDED!!!

All the more reason for casual Aires of the type that I mentioned earlier to absorb lots of vans for those who find commercial sites too expensive for what we need, and those who do not fancy the perceived risk of wild camping.

Last year we stayed on an aire near Quiberon which was a small village community hall and football pitch with a car park not used overnight. we paid 3euro and had water and drainage (both types) and the community got free overnight security and made a few bob for the village.

We need an organisation to lobby and negotiate for a similar network.

This in turn would help our relation ship with the public, landowners, councils, etc

Davy

You see this aggravates me as I'm sure it does others, when were campsite owners given the Monopoly on camping? It's the same sort of small mindedness that stops Motorhomes from being able to visit an area, all business come up against competition at some time, I can't understand why campsite owners are even in the equation.

Aire type facilities, as found in France etc, are NOT camping facilities they are simply parking facilities, sometimes reserved for the exclusive use of motorhomes but not always.
As mentioned above they can be found in public parking area of all descriptions, municipal facilities parking areas and off-street parking.
As such once the place used already has the appropriate official permissions to be used as a 'car park' no further permissions are required.
Remember, a motorhome parked in a 'car park' overnight has the same legal status and can only be subjected to the same regulations as applies to any other private passenger vehicle parked there. Any regulations discriminating against motorhomes can only relate to the physical characteristics of the vehicle, for example if the surface of the area could be damaged 'heavy' vehicles a weight limit could justifiable be enforced. If the conduct of the occupants is offensive to litter laws for example then prosecution of the individuals is justified but not sanctions against the vehicle itself which the offenders are using, for example if exceeding the speed limit the offence is committed by the driver not the vehicle.

A motorhome is 'parked'
When it is taking up no more space than when it is being driven, no awning out, no outwards opening windows open.
When no 'camping' equipment (tables, chairs etc.) has been put out and no washing out to dry.
When no stabiliser have been deployed.
When no external tanks are put out.
Basically the vehicle is in the condition that it can be driven away without the need to put equipment away, just like a private car.
The only exception is chocks or levelling blocks which can by used for safety reasons.
If any of the above are not observed then a motorhome can be considered as 'camped'

See signs below, one from France the other from Germany

So, as you say how can 'they' prove you were sleeping, you might have been reclining and reading a book,on the bed, in you jammies for comfort.

And, what about a person in a 'car' having a sleep after too much drink or just having a nap for safety sake as we are advised to do if feeling a bit knackered.

It's really about time the authorities provided proper official overnight parking for motorhome tourists and stopped faffing around with silly half baked regulations in an attempt discriminate against us.
Or else opened value priced municipal sites everywhere, like in France. Some chance

Thought as Much Willie. Think I might put it to the test to find out, but I think loads do that every weekend in Portrush and many other places.

The guides that are shown in the above Photos of Aires, of when you are camped or parked, they work on the continent, but is this a recognised law or guide in the UK and Ireland? is this written down in some Rules of the Road? or are we assuming it is as that's how they do it in France?

Agreed was just wondering if they had been or is it part of the ongoing campaign the likes of the Motorhome Association are running.

I am in receipt of the report since 3rd. week in October and have had time to digest its contents. FWIW below is my opinion on the report.

The document contains errors and omissions which may be accounted for due to it having been prepared based on much information drawn on "desk research (websites and literature) and anecdotal evidence" .

The document highlights some perceived difficulties and negative impacts on operators of camping sites which would not withstand an informed argument.
The document contains some observations and recommendations which would indicate that the author has had little if any experience of touring Europe in a motorhome and has perhaps failed to interpret correctly contributions of stakeholders representative of motorhome users.

All in all I personally have grave reservations that the document will serve our requirements well and it may in fact result in further studies to investigate further some of the negative impacts quoted in respect of camp-sites, for example "There is a possibility that the provision of Aires de Service sites could displace business from existing touring caravan sites"
In the meantime councils who choose to do so can 'kick the can further down the road'

I would advise all to read the document in full before concluding whether it is friendly or covertly hostile to motorhomers.

you have summed it up.
able to park quite close to a town or village makes sense for traders.

we need to get more facts figures collated.
email your figures to butterfly_2412@hotmail.com

eg,
1 x van at broughshane
food and drink £xxx
shopping £xxx

that way we can show proper usage instead of relying on third party info.

just when your away for a night or trip make a wee note of your spend,no receipts etc just a rough total , lets help push this along.

At the time of posting this I haven't read the report as yet....however I have a close relative who is a MLA and he is already
aware of 'Brit Stops', it's aims and benefits, and is in possession of a 2011 handbook courtesy of Steve from Brit Stops. He
is making other relevant parties aware of the scheme and hopes that it will lead to more provision of Aires and a change of
attitude towards MH owners in relation to tourism and income for the NI economy.

It will probably take a while for attitudes to change as great damage has been done by the travellers invading any space
they seem to be able to set site on which has led to the increase in the 2.0 M barriers everywhere and the dumping of
stone barriers across many possible Wild Camping spots by local landowners...and I can't say I really blame them as most
town and villages have had problems within the last few years, Downpatrick, Comber and Dundonald are three I can think
of immediately.

I'll peruse the report and if they are negatives raised I'll bring those to his attention so hopefully any erronous attitudes
can be in turn knocked on the head to a degree at least in some small way.

simple is best

it really is just to show an incrrease in takings when motorhomes use an area

£40
you obviously havent met my wife, hehehehehehe

your wife and my wife must be sisters !

What just one fleece!
you got off lightly