A warning to all you sleepy campers!

[Hymerman]

A warning to all you sleepy campers!

A couple of weeks ago I went up to Scotland in my camper for the British Open Golf Championship at Turnberry. I thought I’d avoid some of the traffic by travelling up there late in the evening, so off I went.. Setting off from home around 9pm and after driving for about 5hrs I decided to pull off the Motorway (M6) as I started to get a little bit drowsy. I stopped at one of the MOTO group services and fell asleep waking up a couple of hours later, I went into the services to get some food and then thought I’d better put a bit of fuel in as I still had a fair way to go. All seemed well and did the same thing on my way home from Scotland......

This week I discovered to my horror that the signs that they display in the corners of the MOTO Service station car parks are no joke. If you walk up to them they inform you that you can only stay for 2 hours and if you want to go over that you should pay a fee of £18 for 24hrs stay. Well the other day in came two ‘Parking Penalty Fines’ both for £80!! One for when I stopped on the way up and the other for when I stopped on the way down, I was gutted!!

I’d heard of these parasitic parking companies that prey on people who park in the wrong spot’s, or for too long, but it seemed as though I’d fallen victim to just such a company. So I rang MOTO head office and spoke to their Customer Service section, asking what they would advise motorists to do if they get so sleepy they become a hazard to other road users. They said that motorists are welcome to use the service station rest areas, but only for up to 2hrs after that they must pay extra, otherwise they will receive a fine. What I didn’t know is that MOTO service station has a ‘Number Plate Recognition System’ in place so the automatically clock you on the way in and out, I thought that I’d have a chap knocking at my camper door asking me to pay up, or move on.....

Well at least I’m happy to tell you that the Costumer services felt sorry for me and waved both of the fines, just charging me a £15 administration fee..... It seems that it pays to ask questions.

Whilst I’m sure that the majority of you out there already know about this, I hope that those who didn’t know may learn from my mistake and pull off the motorway and find a lay-by rather than a MOTO Service station....

All the best Andy.....

 

[Randonneur]

So how do truckers go on at these places when they are forced to stop by their tachographs???

We have used the caravan site at Tebay services a few times, very friendly and not overpriced.

 

[Captain]

I was unaware of this so thanks for the info'.

Moto have just lost an awful lot of potential customers me thinks

 

[peppers]

I was unaware of this so thanks for the info'.

Moto have just lost an awful lot of potential customers me thinks

parasites all of them

 

[bob690]

Sorry to hear of your mider Andy, this is one of the reasons why car transporters always put some tape or cover over the numberplate of vehicles being carried, because these systems are everywhere. They log vehicle moves and I think records go back up to 3 years, longer in places like London. I think its time to find a legal solution to being clocked wherever you are, it certainly is a george orwell world.....Bob

 

[coventrycraig]

Ive recently been thinking about buying some false plase and just velcroing them on when staying at these places.

Craig

 

[chopper]

if you get pulled with them in you vehicle or on the vehicle you will be worse off

 

[bob690]

Remember Craig, its going in and out that the cameras clock you, whats needed is something to cover your rear plate till your out of the services. Like a thin piece of plastic, it only has to cover one or two numbers to cock the system up!....Bob

 

[Channa]

Remember Craig, its going in and out that the cameras clock you, whats needed is something to cover your rear plate till your out of the services. Like a thin piece of plastic, it only has to cover one or two numbers to cock the system up!....Bob

A great idea your suggestion is most useful ...... you are parking on private land, the Deal is advertised on the signposts, If you get caught out..sorry but why bleat? Unless of course you believe you have some god gifted right to absolve yourself from any levy of the landowner. ( which appears to be the general view around here)

Hows about a few caravans on your doorstep next weekend ?

Remember its a right ???

Channa

 

[bob690]

A great idea your suggestion is most useful ...... you are parking on private land, the Deal is advertised on the signposts, If you get caught out..sorry but why bleat? Unless of course you believe you have some god gifted right to absolve yourself from any levy of the landowner. ( which appears to be the general view around here)

Hows about a few caravans on your doorstep next weekend ?

Remember its a right ???

Channa

Baaa, Baaa, Baaaaah (Aetheist sheep).....Bob

 

[Channa]

Baaa, Baaa, Baaaaah (Aetheist sheep).....Bob

Lol ...*******isation of a nursery rhyme, I expected better than that ?

Back on topic please feel free to explain how we have the right to park on private land without recompensing the landowner or his agent. Furthermore the right to ignore terms and conditions and then complain ?

Or was your nusery rhyme quotation a deflection that others do have rights...pretty sure you will find them i have a few boys who need a campsite next week please forward your postcode ? I am sure we can treat you to the same level of disrespect


Channa

 

[jogguk]

Back on topic please feel free to explain how we have the right to park on private land without recompensing the landowner or his agent. Furthermore the right to ignore terms and conditions and then complain ?
Channa

I think the main point is that it is profiteering and unfair and paying for a service that you are not getting (leaving after a few hrs)

Max 2 hrs free or £18 for 24hrs. Why not an intermediate charge a more reasonable £9 for 12hrs?

Some service areas are very busy in daytime and space may be at a premium, but early hrs of the morning?

 

[bob690]

Lol ...*******isation of a nursery rhyme, I expected better than that ?

Back on topic please feel free to explain how we have the right to park on private land without recompensing the landowner or his agent. Furthermore the right to ignore terms and conditions and then complain ?

Or was your nusery rhyme quotation a deflection that others do have rights...pretty sure you will find them i have a few boys who need a campsite next week please forward your postcode ? I am sure we can treat you to the same level of disrespect


Channa

I treated you with the contempt you deserve, because if you had read the thread properly you would have noticed(or perhaps not) that I wasnt complaining about parking on private land, my suggestion was how to cock up a number plate recognition camera and how numbers are recorded by the government subversively. It wasnt about land agents, land owners, land girls, land cameras or third rate pub landlords or their agents! I,m sure you and "your" boys will accomodate each other cosily without my assistance....Bob

 

[Channa]

I think the main point is that it is profiteering and unfair and paying for a service that you are not getting (leaving after a few hrs)

Max 2 hrs free or £18 for 24hrs. Why not an intermediate charge a more reasonable £9 for 12hrs?

Some service areas are very busy in daytime and space may be at a premium, but early hrs of the morning?

Perhaps it is profiteering, But that isnt my point.

The landowner has a right to charge, whether we perceive it reasonable or not is not the issue,I dont see where the option of consumer choice is denied .( park accept the T & C's or move on )

Tarriffs are clearly advertised and when we fall foul eveyone wants a bleat ???

If the terms are clearly advertised we have a choice.

To advocate covering number plates and in effect committ an act of deception I find quite interesting, and the moral justification. ( which so far seems to be a nusery rhyme ????)

Of course it could just be bawlucks and a typical knee jerk reaction of engaging keyboard before brain by the said poster.

Channa

 

[Channa]

I treated you with the contempt you deserve, because if you had read the thread properly you would have noticed(or perhaps not) that I wasnt complaining about parking on private land, my suggestion was how to cock up a number plate recognition camera and how numbers are recorded by the government subversively. It wasnt about land agents, land owners, land girls, land cameras or third rate pub landlords or their agents! I,m sure you and "your" boys will accomodate each other cosily without my assistance....Bob

Interesting how I deserve contempt ???

Seems you dont like your opinion questioned ( which displays your arrogance in a better light than mine)

Thankfully I can read.... and your post suggested cocking up an ANPR system to defraud paying parking charges.

This post is the first time you mentioned government subversiveness.

BTW I take it we wont be sending Xmas cards..

Channa

 

[Kontiki]

What I find annoying is all the signs warning you that tiredness can kill & to take a break, only to find the max stay without paying an extortionate charges. To me two hours to me is hardly enough time to recover if you are feeling sleepy. Also some parts of the motorway system don't have many stopping places especially if you are having to travel onto different motorways.
I understand that these are businesses & expect to make money but they have a monopoly that unless you are prepared to go off the motorways you are at their mercy. I personally think that they should have the max stay without paying to be at least 4 hours as this would at least let you get a couple of hours sleep if you needed it. I like the idea they have in Europe where there are areas without any services & are just for parking.

 

[miller]

As land itself is a premium in the UK these 'parking charges' will always be there and never leave. Now everyone is comparing the continents services, this is an unfair comparison as land i presume is not atthe same premium are here in the UK. ie the french government may find it a lot easier on the budget to provide these Aire's. Can you imagine the compulsory buys the govt would have to make here, not to mention the protestors

Nothing wrong to a healthy debate folks, so long as it doesnt get personal

Enjoy the forums for the many reasons you are here, bickering aint one of them.


Mike

 

[Don]

As land itself is a premium in the UK these 'parking charges' will always be there and never leave. Now everyone is comparing the continents services, this is an unfair comparison as land i presume is not atthe same premium are here in the UK. ie the french government may find it a lot easier on the budget to provide these Aire's. Can you imagine the compulsory buys the govt would have to make here, not to mention the protestors

Nothing wrong to a healthy debate folks, so long as it doesnt get personal

Enjoy the forums for the many reasons you are here, bickering aint one of them.


Mike

Hi Mike. Can I just voice a couple of opinions (stress, only my opinions). Land Premium and compulsory purchase has nothing to do with it. Every City, town and lots of villages have underused car park, totally unused at night.
Government finance, again nothing to do with anything. The French Aires are financed by local authorities and local shop keepers.

The big problem (my opinion) is local gov,s fear of Gypsy encampments and the cost of moving them on.

Its not about Something for nothing, Its about not been ripped off for a reasonable night,s sleep.


Don

 

[bevo]

services charges

i know the services can charge what they want (£18 over the top).
but why when on the continent you can use their services free of charge.
beats the sh*****it out of me.

 

[vwAndy]

point is.. These charges are in place and no amount of complaining will change that. People are greedy and will always try to find a way of getting money out of us.... Dont use the places pull off the motorway and find a quiet layby.