Consultation on parking Motorhomes FYI

[GinaRon]

South Hams District Council

We've launched our motorhome consultation today - we're proposing to allow overnight sleeping for a two-night consecutive stay in some of our car parks, with no return within 48 hours.

Have your say:

https://bit.ly/3t8L30k

#SouthHams #consultation

 

[Mick H]

A refreshing change, by a local authority. I've used the link, to reply, thanking them for taking this interest, but making the point, that, in my opinion, the proposed charges are too high.
I've referred them to the well known Canterbury P&R motorhome facility, with a free bus, and services, at £7 per night, as an example.

 

[maureenandtom]

I've responded too. Good idea of we all could.

 

[r4dent]

I've responded. I pointed out that the 48 hour limit means (in effect) only one day spending locally, whereas 72 hours would double this.

 

[jann]

I've also mentioned Canterbury prices

 

[number14]

Presumably daytime parking charges will apply on top of the overnight charge. Looking at the South Hams website the 'all day' charges seem to be between £6.50 and £8 for an LGV, which I assume would be our category. So £23 just to park with no facilities. There's a couple of CLs in their area which charge £14pn and even the CAMH club site is £27pn high season. OK, the latter is not really our 'cup of tea' but I throw it in just for comparison. Credit to South Hams for thinking about us but are they genuinely trying to offer a facility or just turning an otherwise empty car park into a cash cow?
Like others I shall send a politely worded email and suggest that the proposed charges are too high.

 

[TJBi]

I've responded. I pointed out that the 48 hour limit means (in effect) only one day spending locally, whereas 72 hours would double this.

Of course, the pricing per night (1800 to 0900) with additional daytime charges may also dissuade people from remaining and spending locally during the day.

 

[r4dent]

Of course, the pricing per night (1800 to 0900) with additional daytime charges may also dissuade people from remaining and spending locally during the day.

Yep, I also pointed out they need to review the market price

Assuming an arrival time of 13:30 and departure time of 10:30 the following morning.
A non electric pitch at Slapton Sands CCC in May costs £8.33
The proposed Low season charges using car rates are £6.50 + £15.00 + £2.40 = £23.90
The proposed Low season charges using coach rates are £11.50 + £15.00 + £7.50 = £34.00

Now who was it said CCC are expensive ?

 

[TJBi]

Yep, I also pointed out they need to review the market price

Assuming an arrival time of 13:30 and departure time of 10:30 the following morning.
A non electric pitch at Slapton Sands CCC in May costs £8.33
The proposed Low season charges using car rates are £6.50 + £15.00 + £2.40 = £23.90
The proposed Low season charges using coach rates are £11.50 + £15.00 + £7.50 = £34.00

Now who was it said CCC are expensive ?

Absolutely, the combined charges are unattractive against other options that probably provide better facilities; I was merely making the point (as I made to them) that splitting the charge into separate periods might be counterproductive in terms of driving motorhomers away during the day, thus losing some local spend.

 

[REC]

I have responded, also made the point that it is high compared with other places especially as no facilities. Mentioned Canterbury and pointed out daytime charges bump the price up and that overnight most car parks are pretty empty so the motorhomers will be adding to their usual revenue.

 

[ASGARD]

Hi fellow travellers, we live in South Hams, bought a new van sept 2019 went to Scotland and had a great break.
Not long after Covid struck we thought it would be good to visit our favourite spots on Dartmoor and in Cornwall but there soon was a problem. Firstly there was great resentment at the large numbers of 2nd home owners who arrived from up country which worried their neighbours because of infection rates being lower here. Next there were thousands of day trippers the beaches were very crowded and as public toilets were closed people had their drives and front gardens used as toilets.

Then came long distance surfers in motorhomes who blocked up car parks in seaside car parks this then led to a general reaction against all motorhomes , people in Cornwall lined the main roads holding up placards to motorhomes with messages like “idiots go home” . Recently on the local BBC tv news ( spotlight) they have been asking viewers opinions and there is a quite an ante feeling among locals.

Teignmouth used to welcome motorhomers and offer services but they had a large group who blocked
up one of their car parks and littered the place costing the council a lot to clear.

The result for us is that we have got just 1500 miles on our van as we didn’t feel comfortable going to our
usual beauty spots ( despite a West Country registration) we feel that our best bet is to head up country
And use c.l. S.

I don’t know if any of the reports of objections to motorhome visitors gets reported on your local tv up country?
Each time it is raised I say to my wife ‘ I wonder to folks up country ever have this reported to them by their media.

Years ago I wrote to the man in charge of ‘VISIT CORNWALL’ explaining the function of Aires de Service and the spending power of motorhome folk. He was quite interested but nothing ever materialised. Devon & Cornwall need
the business but the problem is so many of the towns and villages were built for low levels of vehicles and are quickly
overwhelmed by large numbers of coaches and heavy traffic,

We hope that when travel abroad returns then this current ill feeling will subside.
The South Hams Consultation on carparks has come in part because of the opinions expressed on the local radio & tv stations.

Have a better year all - enjoy your breaks and I hope you don’t view this post as anything other than a ‘heads up’
to fellow campers.


Barry


G

 

[Canalsman]

I have responded suggesting that the time window be extended to 1100.

I have also expressed the opinion that a £15 charge is excessive. £10 seems reasonable.