Motorhome Parking - Information request examples.
On this page are examples of the types of letter which could be used to approach local authorities regarding parking facilities:
Copied below is an example of the requests sent to councils. The wording of the actual requests varied somewhat depending on the type of council and the country of location but the sentence describing the aim and the six particular items remained constant. The requests also contained address details to which responses were to be sent.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am contacting all county councils in the UK in order to obtain information to create a database of parking areas which are or are not accessible by drivers of motorhomes. My aim is to provide a resource for the whole country which will enable motorhome drivers to find appropriate facilities easily whilst at the same time directing them away from areas where problems might be caused by vehicle size.
Particular items of information especially relevant are:
1. 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).
3. Any provision of toilet and waste disposal facilities.
4. Any provision of spaces specifically aimed at motorhomes and/or caravans.
5. Any provision for (or ban on) overnight parking.
6. Restricted access caused by narrow roads/entrances.
If your council does not hold the information requested please pass on this request to the appropriate borough/district/city councils which do hold the information.
Regards,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is an example of the follow-up requests sent in 2007/8.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Background
During the latter half of 2006 I contacted all UK local authorities responsible for off-street parking to request information regarding parking for motorhomes. I used the responses to build my web site. The aims of the web site are twofold:
1. To direct motorhome drivers to places where it is safe and legal for them to park.
2. To direct motorhome drivers away from areas where they might encounter difficulties or cause difficulties for others.
I received a very helpful response from your authority on ********* and subsequently summarised the information on my web site.
Now that an appropriate length of time has passed since I was last in contact with authorities, I am contacting them again in order to ensure that the information I have is up to date.
Information Request
Could you please supply details of off-street daytime parking within the control of your authority which:
1) is able to be used for parking of motorhomes, including use of multiple bays if allowed
2) is not able to be used for parking of motorhomes
together with any restrictions (e.g. height, weight, length limits) which apply.
Could you please also supply details of those areas which may be used for overnight parking and whether or not sleeping/eating in the vehicle is allowed.
Regards,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
This is an example of the Park & Ride facility requests sent in March 2009.
Dear Sir/Madam,
Background
Since the latter half of 2006 I have built a web site which has two aims:
1. To direct motorhome drivers to places where it is safe and legal for them to park.
2. To direct motorhome drivers away from areas where they might encounter difficulties or cause difficulties for others.
Most of the information on the site has come from contacting all UK local authorities responsible for off-street parking to request information regarding parking for motorhomes. I have received information from your authority which was very helpful in achieving my aims.
I am now contacting authorities listed on the Transport Direct web site as having Park & Ride schemes to ascertain what, if any, facilities are available for motorhome parking in those locations. P&R schemes have certainly proved their worth in reducing general congestion in busy town and city centres. Building on that success, P&R sites seem to me to be ideal places for providing motorhome parking in order to encourage drivers of such large vehicles not to enter crowded streets.
Information Request
Could you please supply details of daytime parking at Park & Ride sites within the control of your authority which:
1) is able to be used for parking of motorhomes
2) is not able to be used for parking of motorhomes
1) is able to be used for parking of motorhomes, including use of multiple bays if allowed
2) is not able to be used for parking of motorhomes
together with any special arrangements (e.g. the need to contact staff to have height barriers opened) which apply.
Could you please also supply details of such areas which may be used for overnight parking and whether or not sleeping/eating in the vehicle is allowed.
Regards,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Below is an example of of a request which might be sent prior to a holiday visit to an area.
Dear Sir/Madam,
My wife and I will be visiting your area in a couple of weeks, staying in our motor home at the xxxxxxxxxx Site at xxxxxxxxxxx. As much as possible we will leave the van on site and use public transport if we wish to visit xxxxxxx or other town centres but it is possible that we may need to use the van at times. In some areas we have found problems with height, weight and other restrictions at car parks.
I had a look at the car parking page on your web site but it does not include restriction details. I would be much obliged if you could let me have details of the car parks in your area and any restrictions which exist.
Regards,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Below is an example of a letter which might be sent to encourage a local authority to make provision for motorhome parking.
Dear Council Leader/Chief Executive,
In addition to being residents of XXXXXXXXXX, my wife and I own a motorhome. In the course of our travels we have found that parking for such vehicles is somewhat patchy in different areas of the country.
I believe it would be advantageous for the Borough/District to provide daytime and/or overnight parking facilities for motorhomes
Given the existing facilities it may be that little additional infrastructure would be required, especially when compared to the potential economic benefits to the Borough/District. Motorhome users finding a convenient place to stop, either during the day or overnight, tend to purchase provisions in local shops, eat at local restaurants/pubs and visit local tourist attractions. Whilst some authorities have provided a fresh water supply and/or waste water disposal facilities, many motorhome users would only require a safe, level parking space reasonably close to the town centre.
So far, relatively few authorities have provided such stopping places so there is an opportunity for the Borough/District to be in the forefront. Those authorities which have taken the step forward report positively on their experiences. For instance, Canterbury City Council told me “We are particularly proud of facilities provided at our New Dover Road Park and Ride where dedicated parking for motorhomes with toilet and other waste disposal and fresh water facilities are provided.”
Some authorities are concerned that people might try to set up semi-permanent camp sites with resultant mess and nuisance but this is not borne out by the experience of those which have made provision. Parking orders can restrict the numbers and types of vehicle and the maximum stay time. Powys Council, for instance, has an order in place which restricts parking to one night in seven.
If I can assist in any way I shall be very pleased to do so. My phone number is ??????????, my e-mail address is ???????????? and my geographic address is ??????????????
Regards,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
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Last updated: 17 March 2009