On 13th March 2009, a request was sent to Essex County Council asking if it was possible to park a motorhome at the P&R sites in the county. On 19th March 2009, the council replied:
The Chelmsford Park & Ride site at Sandon is owned by Essex County Council and managed on its behalf by Chelmsford Borough Council Parking Services. There are no specific facilities for Motorhomes and I am not aware that we have previously been asked to provide them. The site is remote and overnight parking is not permitted. Whilst there is no specific prohibition of eating or sleeping within a vehicle, the use of the site is restricted to those wishing to park and then use the bus service to the town centre. There are toilet facilities available during office opening hours. There is a height barrier set at 2.4 metres and staff at the site have access to the key to allow the entry of emergency vehicles.
A request was sent to Chelmsford Borough Council on 19th March 2009 to ask whether it is possible to park motorhomes at the site.. On 20th March 2009, the council replied:
The Sandon Park & Ride car park does not allow motorhomes to park there during the daytime. There are car parks in Chelmsford itself which do not have height barriers to allow for motorhomes to park during the daytime.
Basildon
On 26th September 2006 Basildon Council provided the following information:
We run 8 surface car parks throughout the District, which incorporates Billericay, Wickford as well as the Basildon New Town itself. With all of our car parks there is a ban on: Camping, Cooking and Trading. The car parks are detailed below.
Billericay:
Woolworths Car Park - High Street Billericay - 248 spaces pay & display Mon-Sat 8.00am - 6.00pm. No height restriction at entrance to car park, access road narrow but should not prevent Mobile Home gaining access. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings but bays around perimeter allow longer vehicles to park. Car Park is available at all times with no height barrier. No toilet facility. Litter Bins and recycling bins in car park
Radford Crescent Car Park – Radford Crescent (adjacent to Rail Station)– 126 spaces Mon – Fri 8.00am – 6.00pm (season Tickets only before 9.15am) – Pay & Display operates after 9.15am. All spaces are sold to season ticket holders. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings. Car Park is available at all times with no height barrier. No toilet facility. Litter Bins and recycling bins in car park.
Lake Meadows Car Park: - Radford Crescent – 200 spaces. Pay & Display Mon – Fri 2.00pm –3.00pm – tickets not available until 1.30pm. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings but there is a large unmarked area with no restrictions. Car Park is closed at 8.00pm and re-opens at 6.30am, no height barrier. Toilet facilities in adjacent park but close at 5.30pm (winter) 8.00pm (summer). Litter Bins and recycling bins in car park.
Wickford:
Wickford Main Car Park, A129 Southend Road – 280 spaces Pay & Display Mon-Sat 8.00am – 6.00pm. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings but bays around perimeter allow longer vehicles to park. Car Park is available at all times with no height barrier. No toilet facility. Litter Bins and recycling bins in car park.
Wickford Ladygate Car Park, Ladygate Centre – 48 spaces Pay & Display Mon – Sat 8.00am – 6.00pm. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings. Car Park is available at all times with no height barrier but restricted access for larger vehicles. No toilet facility. Litter Bins in car park.
Wickford Pool Car Park, Market Avenue – 50 spaces rear of swimming pool. Pay & Display Mon-Sat 8.00am – 6.00pm. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings. Car Park is available at all times with no height barrier but restricted access for larger vehicles. Toilet facility in swimming pool – 7.00am – 8.00pm. Litter Bins in car park.
Basildon:
Gloucester Park South Car Park: Broadmayne, adjacent to Swimming Pool. Pay & Display Mon – Sat 8.00am – 6.00pm. Weight limit in car park 3.5 tonnes ulw. Vehicles must park within bay markings but there is a large overflow area, which has no bay markings. Car Park is available at all times with no height barrier. Toilet facility in Swimming Pool 7.00am – 8.00pm. Litter Bins and recycling bins in car park.
Basildon Centre Upper Car Park – Westgate – Pay & Display Saturday only 8.00am – 6.00pm. Car Park is not available for public use at any other times. Restricted to cars only.
On 25th March 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council, stated "I have to advise you that this Authority does not make any provision for motor home parking."
Basildon Council have further details on their web site Here.
Braintree
On 28th September 2006 Braintree District Council stated "None of the car parks run by Braintree DC, or the town and parish councils are suitable for motor homes."
On 28th May 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council confirmed that this was still the case.
Braintree District Council have parking details on their web site Here.
Brentwood
On 27th September 2006 Brentwood Borough Council provided a spreadsheet of car parking information. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
The Council also provided the following information:
I attach a spreadsheet showing the Council's off-street car parks and the restrictions in force - you will note the height limits.
Vehicles must be parked wholly within the marked bays, or may receive a PCN; we do not allow a 'two bay double payment' facility.
None of the Council's car parks have specific toilet or waste facilities, although there are public toilets on-street in Brentwood and Shenfield town centres.
We have no specific provision for motorhomes or caravans, and indeed have not to my knowledge experienced much demand for that; the Borough is possibly not usually regarded as a tourist location. Certain laybys and cul-de-sacs are known to attract overnight lorry parking, but this is not encouraged by the Borough.
There are no overnight parking bans as such although individual waiting restrictions sometimes cover night-time, in the normal way.
The restricted access where it exists is included in the maximum vehicle dimensions on the spreadsheet.
On 9th June 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council stated "There are weight, height and size restrictions on all car parks, and no vehicle may occupy more than one bay or it will contravene the traffic order and have a charge issued to it.". They also supplied a car parking map. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
Brentwood Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
Castle Point
On 27th September 2006 Castle Point Borough Council provided the following information:
The Council currently runs 11 Car Parks broken down by area across the Council as follows: 3 Canvey Island; 4 Benfleet; 1 Thundersley; 3 Hadleigh. All the car parks have height restrictions of 2.1m.
All vehicles must be parked within the bays or a penalty notice would be issued. One car park (Labworth) on Canvey Island has no marked bays so parking across spaces would not be an issue.
There are no toilet or waste disposal facilities at any of the Car Parks.
There is no provision of spaces for motor homes or Caravans.
There is no provision for overnight parking at any of the Car Parks.
There are no restrictions in relation to particularly narrow roads/entrances at any of the sites.
On 12 June 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council issued the following statement - The information supplied to you in September 2006 has not changed, but confirm: We do not allow any vehicle to park outside of the bay markings and many of our car parks have a 2.1 meter height restriction; We do not have weight restrictions on any car park; We do not allow overnight parking but do not have restrictions on eating or sleeping in the vehicle during the day.
Castle Point Borough Council used to have further details on their web site but a check on 12 June 2008 found that the information had been deleted.
Chelmsford
On 3rd October 2006 Chelmsford Borough Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions : With the exception of Riverside - Victoria Road surface pay and display car park (no 24 on the map - see web site link below), all Chelmsford Borough car parks have 2.2 metre height restrictions.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear).
On - Street: The Council offers pay and display controlled parking zones. All vehicles are legally parked provided a valid pay and display ticket is clearly displayed on the windscreen within the time frame permitted, and the vehicle is parked within the controlled zone.
Off - Street: All vehicles must be parked within marked bay and there is no provision to purchase two tickets for overhanging vehicles.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities: There are currently no provisions for toilet and waste facilities.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motor homes and/or caravans: There are currently no designated spaces for motor homes or caravans.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking: All unmanned surface pay and display car parks are accessible 24 hours. Parking Services will consider accommodation of camper vans / caravans by special request based on individual circumstances.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances: No car park has a restricted access that would be inaccessible by car and caravan.
Extra information of interest to you: Under sections 23 & 24 of the The Borough Council of Chelmsford (Off Street Parking Places) (General) Order 2006 it states:
23. No sleeping or cooking etc. No person shall use an off-street parking place or any part thereof or any vehicle waiting in the off-street parking place (a) for the purpose of sleeping or camping (b) for the purpose of eating or cooking (c) for the purpose of servicing or washing any vehicle or part thereof other than is reasonably necessary to enable that vehicle to depart from the off-street parking place
24. No Tent, Booth, Skip, Caravan etc. No person shall in any off-street parking place or any part thereof:- (a) cause or permit the erection or placing of a building or other structure (whether or not designed or adapted for human habitation) (b) cause or permit any caravan or trailer to be parked for a period of more than 24 hours without the express permission of the Council (c) light or cause or permit to be lit any fire.
On 9 July 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council provided the following information:
This Council's parking order does not permit motorhomes in its car parks. If a vehicle uses multiple bays, they will be issued with a parking ticket. The car parks have a height restriction of 2.2 metres. There are 3 car parks in the town centre, Townfield Street Multi-Storey, High Chelmer Multi-Storey and Baddow Road, which have overnight parking. However, the parking order does not allow sleeping/eating in vehicles.
Chelmsford Borough Council have further details, including a car park map, on their web site Here.
Colchester
On 3rd October 2006 Colchester Borough Council provided a spreadsheet of car parking information. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
On 30th June 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
The information previously given is correct. I have included a table of car parks as a PDF file (This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here). However since your initial request you have set us thinking!
We have just resurfaced one of our car parks (Sheepen Road) and included a “camper van” bay – which is 7m long and 3m wide (our ‘usual’ spaces are the standard 2.2-2.4m wide and 4.8-5m long) – this may be a ‘first’. This bay was fitted in without any loss of spaces elsewhere; we just moved things around a bit. The normal bay price is payable here - See Photo.
It is not a very central car park, but this was the first opportunity; it is about a 10-minute walk from the town centre, next to the lorry park (which can be used by any taller vehicles).
We are also redesigning the entrance to one of our town centre car parks (Priory Street) to enable easier access – it was very awkward before – and this work is currently in progress. We are also now including “sat nav” postcode details on our car park leaflets.
We will try and accommodate camper van bays in all the car parks wherever circumstances allow (sometimes the structure of the car park is only strong enough to take cars).
Most of the other information required is on our website (see link below).
I will gather some more comprehensive information and send it to you, and if possible replicate this on our web pages.
If readers of the web site have any good ideas which would help them, which we can implement easily, quickly, and inexpensively, then we will try and include them. Please stay in touch.
Colchester Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
Epping Forest
On 25th August 2006 Epping Forest District Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. - Most have 2.1m Limit
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). - Vehicle must park within marked bay (2.4m x 4.8m)
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. - No waste disposal facilities.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans. - None.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. Some locked overnight.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. None.
The council provided a copy of their parking order which can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
On 4th February 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council referred to the parking order and commented that "the main concern for motorhomes is that vehicles over 2.1m are excluded and motorhome would not be in the class of vehicle allowed to park. Vehicle must park in marked bays and it is not permitted to 'straddle' bays."
Epping Forest District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Harlow
On 31st August 2006 Harlow Council provided the following information:
As motor home sizes vary between approximately "Transit" size and almost "articulated goods vehicle" size, the information provided has to be general only. Harlow offers a variety of car parking options, only two of which however are Council owned and operated. The two Council operated car parks are situated in Post Office Road and Wvch Elm. Both are on a Pay & Display basis.
1. There are height restrictions in Post Office Road. The entry and exit height barriers are both 2m 14cm. The width restriction to Post Office Road is 2m 61cm. Although there are no height restrictions to the roof of Wych Elm, which is the only available place to park a motor home, as the car park is a three storey car park. There is a fairly steep slope to negotiate for access to the roof which may be unsuitable for vehicles larger than "transit" size
2. There is a requirement to mark in parked bays, and with the exception of a very small part of Post Office Road car park, both car parks are marked and laid out in such a way that to park and not be confined to the bay would actually obstruct the free flow of other vehicles using the car park.
3. There are no toilet or waste disposal facilities at Wych Elm. Post Office Road does have a coin operated toilet adjacent to it, and there are rubbish bins close by. There are however no provisions for human waste disposal.
4. There is no provision specifically for motor homes or caravans at either car park
5. Parking charges for both car parks operate between 7.00am and 7.00pm. There is no ban per se on the class of vehicle in question. However the suitability of using either car park would depend on its size.
6. Motor homes within the width restrictions of Post Office Road would have no difficulty negotiating the surrounding road network. Larger vehicles may have problems accessing the road that provides access to the car park entrance at Wych Elm.
On 4th January 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
Details as listed in the information sent to you last year still apply, but in order to answer your recent enquiry, I set out below my answers.
Of the two council car parks, Post Office Road and Wych Elm, both are able to be used for parking of motorhomes providing the motor homes fulfil the conditions of the particular car park regarding access and ability to park within the marked car bays.
NB both our car parks are intended for car but will also accommodate small goods vehicles.
There is a width restriction of 2m 61cms in Post Office Car Park and as far as Wych Elm is concerned, access is denied to anything other than a very small motorhome due to the severity of the slope to be negotiated and the sharp 90 degree right turn at the top.
Maldon
On 6th September 2006 Maldon District Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. None of Maldon District Council's car parks currently has a height restriction barrier in place as they were repeatedly damaged by vehicles and had to be removed for safety reasons. There is however a height barrier in Southminster High Street car park.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines (including any requirement for purchasing two parking tickets where the length of a vehicle means that it overhangs a second bay at its rear). All vehicles parked in the Councils town centre pay & display car parks and in the free car parks in Burnham-on-Crouch must park within marked bays. If a vehicle overhangs a second bay due to length a second parking ticket must be purchased. Most of the town centre car parks have bollards between parking bays.
Parking in the Promenade Park is however different as the main parking areas are large grass fields, these may not be available at all times due to ground conditions and there are also trees with low branches in some areas. There are parking bays provided for coaches on the Promenade Park that are longer than standard bays, as the only coach parking facility in the town these are restricted to PSV and minibuses only.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. Toilet facilities are available on the following car parks: White Horse Lane, Butt Lane (Not 24 hours), Promenade Park (Not 24 hours), Southminster.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motor homes and/or caravans. The Council does not provide any specific motor home bays.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. All of the Councils are parks are not for 24 hour parking, the charging period at all Maldon Town Centre P&D car parks is 8am to 6pm. The Promenade Park charging period is 8am to 8pm.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. There are narrow entrance roads surrounding Council car parks in Maldon and Burnham Town Centres, most are accessible to larger vehicles.
On 17th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council provided the following information:
1. Height restrictions. This remains the same as above.
2. Requirements for parking within bay confines. We are unable to accommodate motor homes in any car park, as we issue Penalty Charge Notices to vehicles that are parked outside of a marked bay in the town centre car parks. Parking on the Promenade remains the same, however there is no facility for overnight parking, this car park closes at 8pm.
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities. Butt Lane - No toilet facilities after 5pm; Promenade Park - Toilets locked at 5pm.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motor homes and/or caravans. This remains the same as above.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking. This remains the same as above.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances. This remains the same as above.
On 13th March 2009, a request was sent to the Council asking if it was possible to park a motorhome at the P&R sites it provides. On 17th March 2009, the council replied:
The Council does not directly provide a Park and Ride scheme in Maldon. However a scheme is operated by Tesco as part of a planning condition relating to a store at Fullbridge in Maldon, I have set out a few basic facts below.
50 standard car parking spaces are available free of charge within the main car park of the Tesco store at Fullbridge Maldon. Waiting is limited to four hours only. A bus service operates between 09.00 and 18.00 hrs Monday to Saturday inclusive, at 30 minute intervals. The service connects the Tesco store with the High Street in Maldon (approximately half a mile distant). As this scheme is operated by Tesco within their own facilities no provision is made for larger vehicles such as motor homes.
Maldon District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
The Promenade car park (Maldon, Essex) is particularly good for motorhomes if the ground is not too wet. Although a bit uneven there is a very large grassy site next to the waters edge that is great to pic-nic and be able to play ball games. Cost £1 for one hour. £3 up to 4 hours and £4 over 4 hours. As you mention there are overhanging trees but it is not too difficult to wait for other cars to pass then drive in the middle of the road for the short distance required. (Many thanks to DC for this information, received on 12 February 2008).
Rochford
On 23rd August 2006 Rochford District Council provided the following information:
1. The Authority's car parks do not have height restrictions.
2. The vehicle must be parked wholly within one marked bay. The Council car parks also have a maximum weight limit of two tonnes per vehicle.
3. There is no provision for toilet and waste disposal facilities.
4. There are no designated spaces for motorhomes or caravans.
5. The Rochford District Council Off Street Parking Places Order 2006 strictly forbids overnight parking.
6. None of the Authority's car parks have restricted access entrance roads.
Rochford District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Update 15 June 2007:
Some time after the initial reply from Rochford District Council above it came to my notice that many other vehicles (e.g. large 4x4s) weigh in excess of 1.5 tonnes (some of the largest 4x4s even being heavier than many motorhomes). A further request for information was sent to the council asking for clarification. In response the council stated "I have noted the comments in your email and would advise you that the wording in the Order regarding vehicles weighing over two tonnes has been in place for a number of years now and is mainly used to deter large commercial vehicles from parking in what are predominantly shopper and worker car parks. The Order has recently been amended and now forbids the overnight parking of commercial vehicles, so there would be no issue with a camper van being parked overnight. My Parking Attendants have no strict instructions regarding how to judge a vehicle weight as due to what has been previously explained they are not required to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to private vehicles weighing over two tonnes."
On 28th April 2009, in response to a follow-up request, the council supplied the folowing information:
I have checked your website and would advise that there have been no further changes to the use of the car parks since the last update. But, to clarify, overnight parking of private vehicles is permitted but sleeping/eating in the vehicle is prohibited. If the vehicle will fit in a bay and the motorist pays any charge due, that is acceptable. Multiple-bay parking is not permitted. There are no height or width restrictions in any of the car parks.
Southend
On 8th November 2006 Southend on Sea Borough Council provided a spreadsheet of car parking information. This can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here. The council also provided a map showing car park locations which can be download in Adobe Acrobat (pdf) format from here.
On 3rd February 2009, in response to a follow-up request, the council, stated:
Off-street for these vehicles is only available at Seaway Car, Coach and Lorry park. Multiple use of bays is not permitted. No height restrictions, weight, or length. This may be used for over night parking but not sleeping.
Southend on Sea Borough Council have further details on their web site Here.
Tendring
On 15th September 2006 Tendring District Council provided the following information:
1. The following car parks have height restrictions of between 5ft 10 inches and 6ft 6 inches.
Agate Road (Clacton on Sea), High Street (Clacton on Sea) MULTI STORY AREA ONLY, Old Road (Clacton on Sea), Hastings Avenue (Clacton on Sea), Elm Grove (Great Clacton), Brighton Road (Holland on Sea), Holland Haven (Holland on Sea), Hazlemere Road (Holland on sea), York Road (Holland on Sea), Ipswich Road (Holland on Sea), Tamarisk Way (Jaywick), Mill Lane (Walton on the Naze), Promenade Way (Brightlingsea), Western Promenade Grass Car Park (Brightlingsea), Elmstead Market (Elmstead) and Wellington Road (Harwich).
2. We request that all occupied spaces (or part thereof) are paid for.
3. Car parks with toilet (WC) or waste disposal (WD) facilities are: Coronation Car Park (WC) Walton on the Naze, Dovercourt Swimming Pool (WC) Dovercourt, Ipswich Road (WC & WD) Holland on Sea, Naze (WC) Walton on the Naze, Promenade Way (WC) Brightlingsea, Quay (WC) Harwich, Elmstead Market (WD) Elmstead, Station Yard (WD) Walton on the Naze, High Street (WC & WD) Clacton on Sea.
4. Although we do not have any specific areas in our car parks for motorhomes/and or caravans, we welcome them on any car park.
5. All of our car parks allow overnight parking although you may not camp at any Tendring District Council car park. Please note that the following car parks are locked overnight: Holland Haven, Naze, Brighton Road, Hazlemere Road, York Road, Promenade Way, Martello Coach and Car Park and Hastings Avenue.
6. We believe all our car parks to be accessible.
On 22nd April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the council confirmed that the information above was still correct with exception of the following:
Promenade Way, Brightlingsea has had the height barrier removed and there are toilet facilities on site.
Victoria Place, Brightlingsea is a new Pay and Display car park with no height barrier.
Most of the car parks now have an overnight parking charge and full details of these can be found on the Council Web Site.
Tendring District Council have further details on their web site Here.
Thurrock
On 28th September 2006 Thurrock Council stated "The Council’s Parking Services Team have advised that there are no parking spaces in the Borough for motor-homes. Maximum overall size restrictions on Thurrock’s parking bays are 5.25m in length and 2.25 in height and motor homes exceed these dimensions. Suitable privately owned parking spaces may exist but the Council is not aware of these.".
On 25th April 2008, in response to a follow-up request, the Council stated "Motor homes can park anywhere that is legal. i.e. not restricted, at anytime. If driver has a residents permit, it must not exceed 5.25 meters in length or 2.25 meters in height to be permitted to park in a residents bay. If it exceeds those dimensions it will receive a fine. Eating/ Sleeping in overnight doesn't infringe on what Thurrock Council can enforce, but Police restrictions on this Thurrock are not aware of.".
Thurrock Council have further parking details on their web site Here.
Uttlesford
On 24th August 2006 Uttlesford District Council provided the following information:
We have no height restrictions in any of our p & d car parks.
It is necessary to purchase 2 tickets if taking up 2 spaces, this normally applies to trailers.
In Uttlesford there are a number of toilets although not always on the car parks. We have no waste disposal facilities other than normal litter bins.
We have no specific bays for motor homes, or caravans.
There is no ban on overnight parking but, a maximum 24 hour stay applies.
All bar some parts of Fairycroft car park are easily accessible.
On 12th December 2007, Uttlesford District Council confirmed that the information above had not changed. As regards parking over multiple bays, the council added that it would only allow the use of 2 bays and both would need to be paid for.
Further details can be found Here.
Users of this web site have provided the following information:
Dunmow
We have recently used a rest area on the A120 at Dunmow (parking available both east and westbound carriage ways, toilets available but no chemical toilet disposal, also 24 hour cafe). Site is a rest /picnic area and are in regular use by truckers for overnight stops. I would however suggest that motor caravaners should adopt a responsible code of conduct when using such sites: arrive late evening for instance after 8pm; leave early i.e. before 9am; don't use coach or HGV bays; don't use generators; park away from other cars to avoid disturbing or being disturbed by other users; minimize the use of gas. (Many thanks to PWB for this information, received on 12 May 2008).
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Last updated: 24 June 2010