Whitby may be most famous for its key location in Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, but now there's some real-life night time drama that may interest you!
Motorhome parking campaigner Andy Strangeway has organised a series of motorhome meets in Whitby to challenge the 'no motorhome parking' rules. You can read all about it in the North Yorks Enquirer's news story and also on Andy Strangeway's Wordpress website.
A few nights ago, Andy organised motorhome meets in 'no motorhome parking' areas in Whitby and notified the town and county council. The council did not issue penalty notices.
As we understand it, there are a few defences regarding the 'no motorhome parking overnight' rule:
1. If there's no PCN Code for a type of vehicle, the council can't issue a parking ticket. Whitby has no PCN code for a motorhome.
2. No motorhome parked had a table – As a motorhome that does not contain a table is not a motor caravan, as per the EU Directive, the restriction does not apply.
3. If some of the motorhomes might contain new travellers, then it comes under New Traveller legislation. So the council would have to give 48 hours to 14 days notice to leave an unauthorised site.
Meanwhile, the article says that Andy's planning another motorhome meet overnight on 5 December.
We'll watch with interest and we're grateful to reader Richard Ineson for drawing our attention to the latest in this ongoing story.
In the meantime, for those who would much rather avoid any risk of conflict, disturbances and parking fines we do recommend that you use our fantastic motorhome-friendly Nightstops. They're all legally permitted to welcome five motorhomes overnight, thanks to the Practical Motorhome Nightstop scheme with our friends at the Motor Caravanners' Club.
Motorhome parking campaigner Andy Strangeway has organised a series of motorhome meets in Whitby to challenge the 'no motorhome parking' rules. You can read all about it in the North Yorks Enquirer's news story and also on Andy Strangeway's Wordpress website.
A few nights ago, Andy organised motorhome meets in 'no motorhome parking' areas in Whitby and notified the town and county council. The council did not issue penalty notices.
As we understand it, there are a few defences regarding the 'no motorhome parking overnight' rule:
1. If there's no PCN Code for a type of vehicle, the council can't issue a parking ticket. Whitby has no PCN code for a motorhome.
2. No motorhome parked had a table – As a motorhome that does not contain a table is not a motor caravan, as per the EU Directive, the restriction does not apply.
3. If some of the motorhomes might contain new travellers, then it comes under New Traveller legislation. So the council would have to give 48 hours to 14 days notice to leave an unauthorised site.
Meanwhile, the article says that Andy's planning another motorhome meet overnight on 5 December.
We'll watch with interest and we're grateful to reader Richard Ineson for drawing our attention to the latest in this ongoing story.
In the meantime, for those who would much rather avoid any risk of conflict, disturbances and parking fines we do recommend that you use our fantastic motorhome-friendly Nightstops. They're all legally permitted to welcome five motorhomes overnight, thanks to the Practical Motorhome Nightstop scheme with our friends at the Motor Caravanners' Club.