our own worst enemies 57b

[aross]

I wonder how many of your average motorhome owners even know what Category M means or how to find out. I have to say I only recently became aware of it by virtue of reading posts on this forum.
I suspect that most, including me, would just look at the blue 'P' rectangle with an icon of a generic motorhome on it and make the obvious conclusion that it's OK to park.

I have no idea! How do I find out what category my van is?

 

[trevskoda]

I can tell any vh that has had a ding or the spray gun near it within 30 seconds of a walk around.

 

[REC]

dont have a mobile and wouldnt know how to pay........should have a choice of payment......having said that looks a lovely spot.........

overnighting at the aire in Ayr 16 generous marked pitches beach views elsan dump etc only £5 there are 7 of us in the bays a further 4parked up along the esplanade in spite of signage specifically prohibiting it , with all the work people like meg & campra try & do we should at least support the councils that provide facilities at the right price View attachment 102088View attachment 102089

As we are an N category, strictly not allowed to park in either place, although a proper conversion. Maybe a quick email to the council would clarify the position. If I can find the address!

 

[TJBi]

As we are an N category, strictly not allowed to park in either place, although a proper conversion. Maybe a quick email to the council would clarify the position. If I can find the address!

Website address on bottom sign in second photo in the original post: https://wildcamping.co.uk/attachments/eb82a83e-0809-45e3-8081-95f85d47f6c0-jpeg.102089/

 

[Fisherman]

I have been reading through this thread and there's is understandable uncertainty over this sign.
I contacted the people running this carpark on 01563 503160.(Option 3)
I was assured that anyone in a motorhome or camper van is free to park overnight in any of the designated bays.
I pointed out that the sign relating to category M motorhomes is confusing and does not relate to most motorhomes.
I also pointed out that most are not aware what category M is, or if it applies to them.
I await a return call to clarify the situation, but from what I can gather it seems likely that this sign will be modified removing the category M requirement.
I will keep you posted once I receive a response.

 

[Fisherman]

Just had a call back.
They claim that to comply with the TRO they had to put in a class of vehicle.
This is to prevent people in vans without proper facilities using these parking bays.
However, anyone in a motorhome, Van conversion, or a camper is able to park in these bays.
This finishes next week, but they are happy with what they have done this year, and expect this to be continued.
They have received many emails from as far away as Dover thanking them for what they have done.
I added my thanks several times during my discussion.
As for the signage, this will be looked at, as its agreed it is confusing.

 

[number14]

Just curious, but what happens from 1st October? Presumably the motorhome bays will still be there and most of us use our vans all year round.

 

[Wully]

I wouldn’t pay much attention to that M thing on that sign it’s probably only there too keep caravans away and the council had no other way of identifying a motorhome other than with a big stupid Capital M

 

[bartman]

In this list a Motorhome, Motor Caravan, or Camper comes under item 2.5.1, and referring from that to category note 2 further down, the category is M1. So on that basis the council's notice is correct.

 

[GeoffL]

Just curious, but what happens from 1st October? Presumably the motorhome bays will still be there and most of us use our vans all year round.

As I posted in #18, the planning document can be found at https://www.ayrshireroadsalliance.o...an-off-Street-Car-Parks-Notification-Plan.pdf
They only have planning until the end of the month. However, many thanks to @Fisherman, who's query seems to have received at least notice of intent to continue the facility. Personally, I hope this is made permanent and becomes a shining example to other authorities.

 

[Fisherman]

Just curious, but what happens from 1st October? Presumably the motorhome bays will still be there and most of us use our vans all year round.

He talked about this possibly continuing next year.
The signage can be taken two ways.
That the restrictions and costs only apply on dates shown and you are free to park outwith these dates. Or that outwith these dates no Motorhome overnight parking is alowed.

The TRO states

No charge will apply out-with these hours

Technically outwith these hours includes hours within dates not included within the TRO, ie October to April.

I have his mobile number I will contact him tomorrow for clarification.

 

[SquirrellCook]

It’s not the council you should be complaining too. A motorhome/ motorcaravan is a passenger vehicle. So should be M class. N class is for Goods vehicles. So maybe most of you have incorrectly registered vehicles?

 

[REC]

It’s not the council you should be complaining too. A motorhome/ motorcaravan is a passenger vehicle. So should be M class. N class is for Goods vehicles. So maybe most of you have incorrectly registered vehicles?

Didn't have a choice...the DVLA didn't change our V5? We are a "van with windows"
I have emailed the council and asked for clarification of the signage, pointing out the problem for those which comply with the interior criteria for motorhomes whilst not conforming to the DVLA exterior criteria.
(Also thanked them for providing reasonable facilities in same email)

 

[Annsman]

RingGo and Pay by Phone are two of the most used apps for parking. I’ve got both. They can be used for your car too. I’m fairly certain these things are only going to get more frequent. It’s ideal for the car park owners. No cash in the system and no problems with policing it. I’ve been using them for a couple of years now and had no problems with either app.

 

[trevskoda]

No category in my log book, just Iris bus/motor caravan heavy goods, as for paying with phones or apps, many dont have a mobile/smartphone, more discrimanation.

 

[alcam]

He talked about this possibly continuing next year.
The signage can be taken two ways.
That the restrictions and costs only apply on dates shown and you are free to park outwith these dates. Or that outwith these dates no Motorhome overnight parking is alowed.

The TRO states

No charge will apply out-with these hours

Technically outwith these hours includes hours within dates not included within the TRO, ie October to April.

I have his mobile number I will contact him tomorrow for clarification.

Reads to me that charges only apply within these dates . No charges mentioned outwith the stated dates . Makes sense they have charges/restrictions at the busier times . Interesting to see what they say .

 

[Fisherman]

Just spoken to the traffic officer responsible for Ayr and Girvan.
Its a bit of a mixed response, but the facilities will be removed after 30 September, so no Elsan point or water will be available. No charges will apply. So long as you park within the stipulations which will apply you are free to park from October till May. But they have not yet decided on what restrictions will apply. He mentioned the possibility of no overnight parking signs, which we know are not enforceable.
This is just my opinion and I may be wrong. But I got the feeling that parking in winter overnight will be tolerated and ignored by them. This would mean that overnighting for a couple of nights should be fine. But anyone who needs further clarification after 30 September can phone them on 01563 503160. You will be directed to a parking officer directly, or he will get back to you if you leave your number. I have found them to be very helpful.

 

[Geek]

Time to move into this century, any mobile will be better than no ph, buy a unlocked simple one and use 1p mobile sim set to auto top up every 3 mths at £10

Not any more. 1pmobile used to require a £10 top-up every three months. You had to top up but the credit accumulated. Now they require a £2.50 minimum spend every month. If you don't, the charge you the balance of the £2.50. Much less attractive for a low user.

 

[Sue Paskins]

Not any more. 1pmobile used to require a £10 top-up every three months. You had to top up but the credit accumulated. Now they require a £2.50 minimum spend every month. If you don't, the charge you the balance of the £2.50. Much less attractive for a low user.

Would have been nice if 1p had told users!!

 

[Thistle]

As I do a fair bit of work on ex Ambulances a personal golden rule is to verify if the vehicle is properly taxed before doing anyone a ‘favour’ unfortunately the ex ambulance community is rife with ved evaders exploiting the vehicles previous ved exemption status and I don’t feel it right to be helping those types of people out.

I made a YouTube video on the subject of changing the taxation class of an Ambulance and during doing so it became apparent that circa from 2012 a lot of vans used to convey passengers e.g pts ambulances and minibuses were being registered from new as M1 or M2 whereas previously they would have been N1 or N2.

This was done iirc because they need to meet more stringent requirements as passenger vehicles so are effectively classified same as cars etc.

The knock on effect though is M1 or 2 ved charge is based on emissions rather than the flat rate for N class vans and I know of quite a few people that have bought ex Ambulances recently where the ved is £500+

Afaik the M or N classification is assigned at first registration and can never be subsequently changed.

It does seem odd the that a sign would specifically mention this and I genuinely suspect it had been done intentionally in order to give them the ability to eject or refuse certain types of vehicle if ever necessary.

off topic.
Has anyone ever found an online way to get the taxation class of a vehicle from the dvla?
You would think they would make that readily available alongside everything else but nope!