Why are you trying to park in the Car Section anyway ?
I was advised by
Moto not to park a Motorhome in with the HGVs because they carry dangerous loads. I was told it was not permitted to park Motorhomes in the Coach parking area (It would be clamped). Motorhomes should be parked in the car parking area.
When I gave them my vehicle dimension's they replied.
I should use the dedicated bays for Caravans where provided. When I queried what to do if they were full they were at a loss to give advice and advised moving on to the next service area.
The signage for the Caravan parking area is often very sparse and you could finish up back on the motorway trying to find it.
Department for Transport Guidance to Motorway Services operators
DfT Circular 01/2008
Department for Transport
Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR
POLICY ON SERVICE AREAS AND OTHER ROADSIDE FACILITIES ON MOTORWAYS AND ALL-PURPOSE TRUNK ROADS IN ENGLAND
PICNIC AREAS AT MSAS AND MRAS
62. Picnic areas are attractive to many drivers who would like to stop and take a break without leaving the motorway but who prefer to bring their own food rather than purchase it. All new MSAs and MRAs are required to provide picnic areas.
Requirements for motorway rest areas
73. A facility designated as a Rest Area must be open for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
and provide the following facilities:
• free parking for up to two hours for all types of vehicle at half the level required
for MSAs (see Annex B);
• free toilets and hand-washing facilities for all road users, with no obligation to
make a purchase (see Annex B);
• parent/carer and child facilities containing baby-changing amenities;
• access to a signed, free, private breastfeeding area;
• access to a cash-operated telephone (card phones alone will not suffice);
• a free picnic area (meeting the criteria set out at paragraphs 64 and 65 above);
• free play area for children;
• the site must also comply with all current and future equality legislation.
74. Access must be permitted for up to two hours for those carrying out emergency repairs
to broken down vehicles.
Parking for disabled travellers
79. Parking bays for disabled users of all types of vehicle should be located in close proximity
to the main entrance of the amenity building.
Parking for caravans, motorhomes and other light vehicles towing trailers
81. Parking for caravans/motorhomes and other light vehicles towing trailers should not be
located within the HGV parking area. A safe walking route from the parking area to the
amenity building should be provided. Further, the parking area should not be situated
such that manoeuvres cause a safety issue for other customers (see paragraphs 45 and
46). Parking bays should be laid out in a drive-through pattern so that caravan,
motorhome and light vehicle trailer towing drivers are not required to reverse to exit.
82. A minimum of two parking bays suitable for caravans/motorhomes and other light
vehicles towing trailers should be situated close to the amenity building for the
convenience of disabled users of such vehicles (see Annex B).
83. Operators may provide overnight parking facilities for caravans and motorhomes.
Facilities for the supply of fresh water, electrical hook-up and the disposal of foul and grey water may also be provided.
However, caravans and motorhomes should not be
permitted to stay on site for more than a maximum of twelve hours.
84. Operators are also expected to provide parking for vehicles towing all types of trailer
(including horseboxes and trailer tents).
HOWEVER the crunch comes that these are
may, not must, provision and that if the operators do not consider there to be a demand they need not provide facilities. It's what they call "hands off government"
There is only one MSA with a Toilet dump, no drinking water available . Another provides a drinking water tap on the services and a toilet dump at the campsite it also owns. That is the UK provision for Motorhome visitors.
