i have just seen this on a recent campervanners vlog on youtube, https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/734493, probably a long shot but got to be worth a go.
Let's face it, MH and caravan users are generally much ABUSED at Motorway Service Stations in all respects!
Only a few have dedicated large Caravan/MH parking bays, otherwise you are punted into the HGV area! Apart from being pretty unpleasant in a number of ways, quite often it segregates you from the 'Car' fuel station, only giving access to the HGV pumps (NO petrol for one!). EV charging is an emerging issue too, with parking (caravan) and charging near mutually incompatible.
A prolonged stay is extortionately costly with no more offered than the bit of tarmac you occupy for the fee! The petition goal addresses that to a degree.
Off motorway service areas are even worse, in many you can't even get a caravan (or a large MH) in the parking area, so can't stop at them!
I know a few HGV drivers, and they don't feel particularly well served either! - with their enforced driving time limits, provision for suitable stops is woeful on some routes. Even if only driving a car or small campervan that fits regular car parking bays, I can only think of a couple of services that are reasonably pleasant places to stop, and with food that is palatable, most service stations can even ruin a already not impressive franchised burger or fried chicken!
Whilst I support the petition as is, really, the whole road network needs rethinking to provide something closer to the continental aires. Government and their licenced operators need to stop thinking 'profit' and start thinking 'SERVICE'! I'm not holding my breath, and probably too old to see it ever happen in my lifetime if there was a quantum change in attitude!
Presumably in UK you can only stay at caravan sites and they will have the facilities you need. Can you not empty and fill etc before leaving the site leaving you the ability to drive a long way home. Then empty at home etc.
“We are calling on the Government to update guidance for Motorway Service Areas (MSAs), requiring they provide… toilet (black waste), grey water disposal, and fresh water refill.”
Ok: fresh water: easy enough, link it to dog water bowls & there’s a winner. Grey water ok: approved gully into local drains network. But toilet cassette emptying? That’s a connection into the sewage system (permission from environmental protection agency) or a new connection to a (new?) septic tank.
Not signing the petition, demands are not reasonable.
Quote: Originally posted by navver on 03/9/2025
Presumably in UK you can only stay at caravan sites and they will have the facilities you need. Can you not empty and fill etc before leaving the site leaving you the ability to drive a long way home. Then empty at home etc.
Not in 2025! There are places like Campra aires that will provide this service for a fee. Ideal for vanners not always using sites.
I'd settle for more caravan parking spaces, better signed on entry to the services, and the spaces that there are being kept free of cars, small vans etc that should be in the normal parking areas.
It's pretty common in USA & Europe. It doesn't have to be a free service.
Can't see it happening in UK unfortunately.
Not suprised at lack of support here with its very campsite-centric user base.
Its clear the concept of travelling & stopping places without disposal points is lost on some folk here & needing to find a place to dump waste. Fortunately the places that will allow it is growing. It'll probably not stop all of the small minority who dump in inappropriate places.
We mark on the map in advance where we can get rid of black waste. Also only use septic tank suitable chemicals so we're not limited to points connected to mains sewer network. If such points are thin on the ground in an area we'll take a backup cassette.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 04/9/2025
Why would you need to empty or fill your loo at a service station? If you wanted to stay only 1 night then you need your head examining.
Quote: Originally posted by Mrs. Bonce on 04/9/2025
Why would you need disposal, can't you just take it home or to a site?
Whilst I think the facilities/provision for MH and caravan owners are all too often appalling at services, with a little more thought about the petition, prompted by Mrs B's comment, I think it may be motivated by those that don't use (pay for!) regular camp sites, but 'rough pitch' for free in car parks and laybys etc.! - maybe looking for another aspect to Motor Homing for free!
IIRC some CAMC sites will, for a small fee, allow travellers to use their MH service points without actually booking a pitch.
Not a MH owner, but I stop on long journeys with my caravan, I use my onboard loo, but can't say I've EVER had the need to empty it at a services! After days of use, it gets emptied at a camp site, or 'home' (being a storage yard with facilities)! Don't have onboard water tanks, but carry fresh water in a container for a 'brew' if I have the inclination. Grey water is not an issue as I don't wash up, shower etc. on a journey! So, there seems little reason why a MH would genuinely need those facilities on a journey!
The more I think about it, the less I like the idea, it facilitates those that abuse! I can think of a few free/unsupervised car parks at remote beaches I've tried to park a car in, but can't because they are full of freeloading campers in MHs/Campervans! There's been a few seaside towns of late with residents up in arms about their promenade's being commandeered by freeloading MHs/Campervans using them as unpaid camp sites!
Some may argue the campers will carry on anyway, and empty their waste in inappropriate ways/places if no facilities available, but is encouraging them to abuse car parks and laybys in greater numbers a solution?
There are many places supported by councils, water authorities & forestry where overnight parking is allowed for free or a fee were there are NO facilities. For self contained vans only. On a long trip waste needs getting rid off. That's mostly on sites or aires but the more options the better.
I'm happy to pay for these & for services only if I need to empty tanks.
Just last week we where the only van in a carpark overlooking a Loch. The owner had licence for 5 vans. One other van stopped to use the waste facilities.
You won't catch us anywhere near the freeloaders causing issues in towns but believe me we much prefer being away from regimented sites as much as possible. We are CCC members & use CL's & occasional club site. The model in France with Aires & cheap municipal sites suits us very well. I hear a lot of Brits complaining we dont have that infrastructure here.
While I support the petition I'd likely avoid motorway service disposal as its likely to be abused & poorly maintained.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Petition for motorhome services to UK pet
via mobile 03/9/2025 at 8:16pm
