Response from gov.uk -
"However, additional provision might be better placed at locations that are destinations in their own right for motorhome and campervan users, rather than on the strategic road network."
Exactly - campsites!
------------- I came into this world with nothing and I've still got most of it left.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 11/2/2026
Don't they have facities at motorway services for long distance/tour coaches to empty their waste?
David
No, not generally. That is usually done at a depot.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 11/2/2026
Don't they have facities at motorway services for long distance/tour coaches to empty their waste?
David
No, not generally. That is usually done at a depot.
I would imagine a coach with loo has a quite sizeable waste tank, more than capable of waiting until returning to a depot! I once took a 30 hour coach trip to France, don't recall any tank emptying on that trip!
My caravan loo when on a campsite, often the only loo I use, will last at least 4 days before needing emptying - that's an indicator of why MSAs DON'T need disposal points! - They would only serve an extreme minority who camp off regular camp sites with facilities!
In 53 years of caravanning have only ever emptied toilet at home or on a site. I think this has been raised by owners who leave home, and look for a freebie holiday without paying anywhere.
Probably 3rd time said it on this thread - we've paid for many legitimate overnight stops that dont have black or grey waste disposal - just fresh water. They only take self contained vans.
Licensing a campsite and the facilities necessary to obtain a license is actually quite complex. Ultimately it's the local Council that grants the license and there are variations between them in requirements in many cases. The 'use' of the site is influential, be it Tents, or vehicles (MH/Camper/Caravan). How long it operates, as in 'Pop up' or permanent etc. also influences requirements.
Most organisations like the big camping clubs and a host of smaller organisation that act as the licensee (as in CS/CL type sites) for the site operator seem to insist on proper CDP! It roughly seems to be, for permanent sites, tents and the like without own facilities, only site toilets/washing facilities need providing, any site admitting units with own facilities then a CDP is also necessary.
Can't say I've ever encountered a caravan site without a CDP! It could be those sites without CDP were only licenced for tents, and they are pushing the point with Campervans etc.! I know sites DO bend the rules of their licence, I have used them, but still never found one without CDP!
Of course, the UK nations have their own variations which may account for different facilities. My specific knowledge was based around England when a pal was looking into using fields out the back of his pub as a camp site, and we went through the Pros and Cons in some detail.
We stay on a lot of CAMpRA aires. Most have CDP but not all. Also spots provided by Northumbria Water, Forestry & some councils. Most of these have zero facilities. They are only for self contained motorhomes or campervans. No tents or caravans. They are not campsites. Camping type behaviour is usually not allowed ie no bbqs, outside chairs etc. These are not free & most need to be booked with limited spaces available. Similar to the French system of Aires (not the motorway service type).
We do use regular camp sites & are CCC members but by far we prefer aires or small sites with limited spaces.
No licence bending, no freeloading. Just a different culture & experience to most club type sites & seemingly outside the experience or even comprehension of many on this forum.
So CAMpRA Aires are not even portraying themselves as any sort of camping solution (their words on their web site! - https://campra.org.uk/), and really offering only journey break OVERNIGHT PARKING facilities! It would appear anyone doing more than that is abusing the facility! They are not truly comparable to continental Aires in purpose or facilities in most cases.
It's little different to me stopping on a layby, or MSA (more than 2 or 3 hours and you pay quite dearly to PARK!), and using my onboard caravan loo (which I do). BUT, my expectation is to empty my tank on a proper campsite with facilities at the end of my journey. I have no expectation for anyone else to provide tank emptying facilities because I'm NOT CAMPING anywhere other than a proper licensed campsite! If the CAMpRA sites want to offer waste disposal all well and good, but you do seem to pay a premium for those that do! - you are definitely edging into budget end of CS/CL pricing from what I can see, and you are permitted to fully camp on those!
The debate still hinges on PARKING or CAMPING! ..... and your scenario revolves around authorised and maybe paid for PARKING, CAMPING is not really permitted! So we are still trying to find justification for MSAs to provide waste disposal - it's not obvious for legitimate campers!
One CAMC campsite I regularly use has a 'Vending Machine' to empty and clean toilet cassettes, for I believe a couple of pounds cost. https://camperclean.de/en/for-site-operators/automatic-waste-disposal-stations/. They could be fitted at MSAs, but from the numbers I've looked at, likely not financially viable. On the campsite, it's accessible to visitors just emptying their tanks, and campers who don't much like the 'down the drain' process! Only once in a dozen or more one to three week stays on this campsite have I ever witnessed it being used, clearly I don't watch it 24/7, but I do go past it often several times a day as I come and go from the site or walk my dog around the site, little sign of it being popular!
I do think this country is very poor with provisions for MH/CV/Caravan owners on the road, and would like to see improvements, but still can't see fully justified reason for waste disposal at MSAs!
Quote: Originally posted by macquatic on 04/9/2025
The petition - Require service stations to provide motorhome waste and water facilities.
Why?
Virtually all campsites have these facilities. The only people it would benefit are the freeloaders!
A lot of people, especially hillwalkers use their vans in winter. If they are using the small forestry aires there are often no facilities. You can check out the stay the night page on Forestry and land Scotland's website. Likewise Highland council allow paid use of their car parks for staying the night. No chemical disposal.
Those people are not freeloaders. There are often no campsites available in winter or nearby in remote areas. Yes, the system gets abused but don't tar everyone with the same brush. Do you count backpackers that wild camp with a tent in the middle of nowhere freeloaders because they aren't staying at a campsite?
I love how it's a certain fraternity who are getting their KiaT over this.
Echo spiritburner;
"no freeloading. Just a different culture & experience to most club type sites & seemingly outside the experience or even comprehension of many on this forum".
------------- XVI yes?
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Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 19/2/2026
So CAMpRA Aires are not even portraying themselves as any sort of camping solution (their words on their web site! - https://campra.org.uk/), and really offering only journey break OVERNIGHT PARKING facilities! It would appear anyone doing more than that is abusing the facility! They are not truly comparable to continental Aires in purpose or facilities in most cases.
It's little different to me stopping on a layby, or MSA (more than 2 or 3 hours and you pay quite dearly to PARK!), and using my onboard caravan loo (which I do). BUT, my expectation is to empty my tank on a proper campsite with facilities at the end of my journey. I have no expectation for anyone else to provide tank emptying facilities because I'm NOT CAMPING anywhere other than a proper licensed campsite! If the CAMpRA sites want to offer waste disposal all well and good, but you do seem to pay a premium for those that do! - you are definitely edging into budget end of CS/CL pricing from what I can see, and you are permitted to fully camp on those!
The debate still hinges on PARKING or CAMPING! ..... and your scenario revolves around authorised and maybe paid for PARKING, CAMPING is not really permitted! So we are still trying to find justification for MSAs to provide waste disposal - it's not obvious for legitimate campers!
One CAMC campsite I regularly use has a 'Vending Machine' to empty and clean toilet cassettes, for I believe a couple of pounds cost. https://camperclean.de/en/for-site-operators/automatic-waste-disposal-stations/. They could be fitted at MSAs, but from the numbers I've looked at, likely not financially viable. On the campsite, it's accessible to visitors just emptying their tanks, and campers who don't much like the 'down the drain' process! Only once in a dozen or more one to three week stays on this campsite have I ever witnessed it being used, clearly I don't watch it 24/7, but I do go past it often several times a day as I come and go from the site or walk my dog around the site, little sign of it being popular!
I do think this country is very poor with provisions for MH/CV/Caravan owners on the road, and would like to see improvements, but still can't see fully justified reason for waste disposal at MSAs!
You do shout a lot. I've moved on to refuting the freeloader tag for anyone who doesn't use sites. Seems to me the viewpoint from regimented pitches is a very narrow one.
Its a bit of a joke to me to hear folk talking about 'camping' from the comfort of a caravan, motorhome or campervan. I really don't see much difference to being in my van on a site or an aire especially in winter but prefer the smaller, cheaper aire. Many are only £5-£10. In either case we're out during the day.
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 16/2/2026 at 11:12am
