Dorset Aire Planned

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Thanks to AndyC UKMotorhomes.net - UK Motorhome Stopover News for the feedback.

Just had this from Chris Graves, Head of Parking & Transport, for the Shared Service Partnership of West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council:

Portland Borough Council Partnership has approved continental style Aire point pilot to go ahead in this borough

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I've set up a project team of motorhome enthusiasts - all external, which is new in itself - and we're hoping to roll out by Easter. No longer wishing to be held hostage to the fear of travellers and recognising how much more could be done for this motoring group I am determined to make Dorset a focal point for what I see now, as a "drive through" visitor.

I want them to stop, stay, enjoy.

I would love to have an opportunity to discuss this in greater detail (and perhaps meet the external team) - I have had thousands of emails and I think it would be fun if the entire community could in some way have a hand in this project. We're up against it. The culture/attitude in this country seems to be so much different from that on the continent.
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Long drive from here to Cornwall so would love to stop in Dorset for a night or two for a sensible price.

Richard
 
The quote shown in the original post seems to be a little confused in the bit about:

“I would love to have an opportunity to discuss this in greater detail (and perhaps meet the external team) - I have had thousands of emails and I think it would be fun if the entire community could in some way have a hand in this project.”

There is a ‘delivery team’ of 5 volunteers in place, set up and run by Chris Graves and I think this quote might have stemmed from Chris setting up an interview with a magazine (hence meet the team bit).

Anyway, a bit of an update so far. We have been drafting layouts, routing potential water / sewage pipes and sourcing equipment etc etc. It is hoped to have a site meeting with council engineers next week with a view to diggers-on-the-ground mid January.
One problem we are having it the provision of a purpose built service point unit. I’ve emailed two French companies several times with zero response (perhaps they don’t like my google’d translations). Anyone near MAMERS in France at the moment who could call in and bang a few desks?
 
At least 2 of the team are Motorhomefacts members. One is a retired Police officer and he is trying to obtain details of French Aire De Service signs to use as a template as their colours match those used in British 'information' road signs. Both are regular users of Aires, Stellplatz etc. in Europe. Chris graves is either a Caravanner or Motorhomer himself.
 
Superb & well done all!

Let's hope we can make it a success & not have eedjits ruining it with litter, long stays & sloppy waste disposal.
 
PossumGoose said:
The quote shown in the original post seems to be a little confused in the bit about:

“I would love to have an opportunity to discuss this in greater detail (and perhaps meet the external team) - I have had thousands of emails and I think it would be fun if the entire community could in some way have a hand in this project.”

There is a ‘delivery team’ of 5 volunteers in place, set up and run by Chris Graves and I think this quote might have stemmed from Chris setting up an interview with a magazine (hence meet the team bit).

Anyway, a bit of an update so far. We have been drafting layouts, routing potential water / sewage pipes and sourcing equipment etc etc. It is hoped to have a site meeting with council engineers next week with a view to diggers-on-the-ground mid January.
One problem we are having it the provision of a purpose built service point unit. I’ve emailed two French companies several times with zero response (perhaps they don’t like my google’d translations). Anyone near MAMERS in France at the moment who could call in and bang a few desks?
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The bit I quoted “I would love to have an opportunity to discuss this in greater detail (and perhaps meet the external team) - I have had thousands of emails and I think it would be fun if the entire community could in some way have a hand in this project.” was from the message I received from AndyC.

I cut and pasted the section but should have read it better as his comments were not part of the information from Chris Graves.

The Motorhome Association in Northern Ireland has installed the French style Bournes An Overview - www.themotorhomeassociation.org I am sure they will be willing to help with contacts. Another way is to build a custom Bourne and diagrams are available for a brick structure.

Best wishes to all the team involved and I look forward to updates of your progress.

John Thompson
 
A great step in the right direction! Well done everyone involved. Please lets not spoil everything by littering and make Chris Graves proud of his vision.


Regards Rog.
 
John,
Thanks for the link – I will be contacting them directly. The layout of the DIY service area is very useful, one like that has the advantage of being less prone to vandalism and easy to maintain/ repair. Thanks once again.
 
PossumGoose said:
John,
Thanks for the link – I will be contacting them directly. The layout of the DIY service area is very useful, one like that has the advantage of being less prone to vandalism and easy to maintain/ repair. Thanks once again.
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To help get this type of thing going was why we set up The Motorhome Tourism Organisation Motor Caravan Tourism Organisation. If we can be of any further help then please contact us. Updates on progress would be welcome so that they can be posted by Keith on the News Page.
 
John,

Now this is what I call FAST!!

Just had an email from a one of your contacts with all the details I needed – a UK main dealer, even an installation manual for our preferred unit. I’ll be on to the dealer tomorrow and certainly keep you up to date with progress.

Many thanks
Malcolm
 
Dorset Aire

At last some sense from a County Council!

We would certainly be prepared to support this scheme, lets hope it will be priced as cheaply as the ones we have stayed on in France. | think the majority of Motorhomers are clean tidy people - just give us a bin, fresh water and waste disposal and we are happy. We have wildcamped and aire stay as much as possible mainly because we are able to stay in lovely locations were we can enjoy the local area on foot.

So Dorset CC may have realised that as motorhomers we can contribute to their income just by letting us stay on their sites overnight. Where we are then able to support the local businesses. For us and them, it must be a win win situation.
 
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PossumGoose said:
The quote shown in the original post seems to be a little confused in the bit about:

“I would love to have an opportunity to discuss this in greater detail (and perhaps meet the external team) - I have had thousands of emails and I think it would be fun if the entire community could in some way have a hand in this project.”

There is a ‘delivery team’ of 5 volunteers in place, set up and run by Chris Graves and I think this quote might have stemmed from Chris setting up an interview with a magazine (hence meet the team bit).
Click to expand...
The quote was directly from an email I received from Chris Graves. Having now investigated this a bit further I suspect the content of the email was a cut and paste job from one he sent to someone quite a while ago.

Anyway, a bit of an update so far. We have been drafting layouts, routing potential water / sewage pipes and sourcing equipment etc etc. It is hoped to have a site meeting with council engineers next week with a view to diggers-on-the-ground mid January.
One problem we are having it the provision of a purpose built service point unit. I’ve emailed two French companies several times with zero response (perhaps they don’t like my google’d translations). Anyone near MAMERS in France at the moment who could call in and bang a few desks?
Click to expand...
Excellent progress.

However I don't see the need for an expensive 'bourne' to be imported from France, surely something along the lines of the MH service points at some Camping and Caravanning Club sites would suffice for waste drainage, and standard hookup bollards for electric points.

I must say that I don't think electric hook up points should be necessary, if the intention is to limit stays to 48 hours. It just introduces another level of complication and potential for things to go wrong or get broken. Keep it simple!

AndyC
 
AndyC said:
The quote was directly from an email I received from Chris Graves. Having now investigated this a bit further I suspect the content of the email was a cut and paste job from one he sent to someone quite a while ago.


Excellent progress.

However I don't see the need for an expensive 'bourne' to be imported from France, surely something along the lines of the MH service points at some Camping and Caravanning Club sites would suffice for waste drainage, and standard hookup bollards for electric points.

I must say that I don't think electric hook up points should be necessary, if the intention is to limit stays to 48 hours. It just introduces another level of complication and potential for things to go wrong or get broken. Keep it simple!

AndyC
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The assumption often is that (like caravanners) we cannot live off grid. It also means that having provided facilities, they feel they can charge campsite sized fees. I hope I am wrong. Logic suggests a couple of EHU spots plus maybe another half a dozen basic parking places might be sensible. Those that want power can connect to it & pay the extra for the power used. I've seen this in Northern Ireland where vans connect to an EHU for say 4 hours or so to boost their batteries or use a satellite TV or microwave or similar & then move back to a non-EHU slot.
 
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