Interesting Petition

[gjh]

A new petition has been created urging the CAMC to look at alternative provision for motorhomes on the basis that they need less facilities than are provided by existing sites and located closer to towns.

It makes an interesting suggestion that existing sites might suffer if (towed) caravan sales decline as a result of lack of availability of suitable tow cars.

Assuming that it receives sufficient support, I would hope that the CAMC would provide a reasoned response (whether positive or negative), based on constructive thought, rather than simply ignoring it.

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/parking-for-motorhomes-similar-to-the-french-style-of-aire-de-camping-car

 

[TonyJones]

This certainly IS an interesting petition Graham. And how seriously they take it will show us whether the change of name really means anything, or was just window dressing to try to keep those changing over.
They would certainly have the expertise to navigate the legal issues of operating aires in the UK.
Looking forward to seeing what happens.

 

[klyne]

I only look in here now and then as there is often so little going on. Does the magazine promote this forum enough? However I have quoted below the official response from the Caravan and Motorhome Club. I thought it an interesting reply but most of the information is hardly unexpected except for the acknowledgement that there might be room for Continental type Aires
David

We do consider motorhome owners when designing, re-designing and reviewing sites for acquisition – looking at the availability of public transport and proximity to local amenities among other things. Many of our existing sites were acquired decades ago when demands from members were different. But as these sites remain popular despite some of them being in locations away from towns, it makes no sense to sell them. We install hardstandings and motor van waste points on all sites as a matter of policy, and we will continue to review what is needed by our members in the future. The Club is a ‘broad church’ and that’s why we try to meet all members’ needs wherever we can. The whole purpose of our name change and revised values is to ensure we do a better job on an ongoing basis of catering for owners of motorhomes as well as caravans.

There is arguably scope and demand for another level of stopover, along the lines of a French Aire. However, the establishment of these would have a cost, and there would be planning approval challenges and UK safety requirements (minimum fire safety separation distances for instance) to overcome. It’s worth debating whether the provision of such facilities should be the responsibility of an organisation like the Club, or whether local authorities should mainly provide them (as is the case in some other countries – France and Australia, for instance). There are already some examples of this in the UK, although some of them operate without compliance with the safety separation distances that those same local authorities would insist on for site operators like the Club.

 

[gjh]

Nice to see that the CAMC actually provided a constructive response - unlike some of the members of their own forum
It was never going to provide an immediate change but is good to see that the CAMC isn't blinkered against potential changes in demand.