Are there any issues with parking up in laybys with the caravan for several hours? Twice recently I've had need to pull over and grab a few hours shut eye before completing my journey (once on the way to an early ferry, the other time on the way home from a late ferry).
It's not something that I'd want to do on a regular basis due to the traffic noise.
Dictionaries state that "a lay-by is an area at the side of a road where a vehicle may pull in and stop". Your stopping for a rest in a lay-by is also much safer than carrying on driving whilst tired, with the fatal consequencies which could result. Personally, I cannot see anything wrong with you stopping to rest.
Unless signs prohibit it then why not, I was up near Boston the other week and someone had parked their caravan up in a layby with washing lines and everything, It was there for at least 5 days.
I just had visions of a tired truck driver pulling in and slamming straight into it.
there are laybys and laybys.. some make ideal places to stop overnight some dont.. the best ones are when an old bendy road has been straightened.. they leave the bends in as laybys.. i use them on a regular basis when touring..
Interesting topic this,before I retired as a trucker,I spent many a night in laybys which also had caravans parked up for the night,(hope they had their earplugs in as truck fridges are often running all night(not on service stations)and lorries leaving early mornings.
The thing is,I seem to recall that the law stated that if the layby is not separated by a barrier such as grass banks,trees etc,i,e on the side of the road with just white dotted lines,you have to keep your lights on during the hours of darkness,don't know if the law has changed,but a traffic patrol officer did confirm it a few years ago,has anyone else heard of it?
I think it depends on the distinction between "stopping for a rest" and "setting up camp". I would think that as long as the caravan is still attached to the car, even if the legs were down for stability, you could genuinely claim to be stopping for a rest. A sensible move if you are over-tired.
However, if you detached the car you could be accused of camping.
Then again, when did common sense come into things these days?
i think you are right colin.. detaching the van does imply "setting up camp".. i never do and have never had problems over-nighting in laybys.. my van stays attached to the truck but i do put the rear legs down to stop the van rocking about..
i describe my set up as a camper van that comes apart in the middle if i want it to.. its pretty much how i use it.. just like a large articulated camper van.. i dont see much of a difference..
If you want to 'set up camp' in a layby then you can. If anybody objects then they can report you to the local council who will give you 28 days to move.
Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 29/9/2016
If you want to 'set up camp' in a layby then you can. If anybody objects then they can report you to the local council who will give you 28 days to move.
Not necessarily.
If it is considered part of the Highway, you can be charged with obstruction and removed immediately
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Topic: Restbreaks in laybys
