West Bay, Dorset - Campervan Parking

Just a quick word of warning (apologies if this is well known..), it seems the welcome for motorhomes in the West Bay car parks is now over. Virtually all of the car parks there are now excluding any vans over 4.8 metres length and all motorhomes - the definition of a motorhome being anything designed or adapted for sleeping and/or cooking in.

Yep, we found out the expensive way yesterday ... Last year we could park the then rental van, no worries. This year all new signs up, which, I admit, I just didn't read , assumption and habit are terrible things. There are now 15 designated motorhome bays in the main car park, and because of the above definition, campervans are included as a motorhome, so if you are lucky, ok, else no longer welcome.

I'm guessing abuse of the previous freedoms has led to this. Two weeks into Cali ownership and our first experience of being campervan lepers, rather spoilt a lovely day.

Attendant took some lovely photos of the van though, including of the insides through the side window. Time for tints, maybe?

Ah well, loving the van otherwise though.

ardm17 said:

Just a quick word of warning (apologies if this is well known..), it seems the welcome for motorhomes in the West Bay car parks is now over. Virtually all of the car parks there are now excluding any vans over 4.8 metres length and all motorhomes - the definition of a motorhome being anything designed or adapted for sleeping and/or cooking in.

Yep, we found out the expensive way yesterday ... Last year we could park the then rental van, no worries. This year all new signs up, which, I admit, I just didn't read , assumption and habit are terrible things. There are now 15 designated motorhome bays in the main car park, and because of the above definition, campervans are included as a motorhome, so if you are lucky, ok, else no longer welcome.

I'm guessing abuse of the previous freedoms has led to this. Two weeks into Cali ownership and our first experience of being campervan lepers, rather spoilt a lovely day.

Attendant took some lovely photos of the van though, including of the insides through the side window. Time for tints, maybe?

Ah well, loving the van otherwise though.

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Maybe a trend?
Same at Horsey Beach in Norfolk. We were there at New Year and we could park up and view the seal colony. Went there last month for a walk and there are signs at the entrance saying No Motorhomes or Campervans!
We moved on to Winterton-on-Sea where the car park lady was only too pleased to tske our money for parking. Her gain, Horsey’s loss.

Economy is booming (not!).

Local shops, pubs & restaurants lose the business, typical local council logic…..backward!
And then the complain that they are losing business to the nearby supermarket with a huge carpark.

Just needs a sign “your money is not welcome here, please move on” just before you enter the town.

When ever i see motorhomers or campervanners in a car park they tend to be eating the food and drink they bought with them

Billy said:

When ever i see motorhomers or campervanners in a car park they tend to be eating the food and drink they bought with them

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Can’t beat the romantic ambience of a car park

ardm17 said:

Just a quick word of warning (apologies if this is well known..), it seems the welcome for motorhomes in the West Bay car parks is now over. Virtually all of the car parks there are now excluding any vans over 4.8 metres length and all motorhomes - the definition of a motorhome being anything designed or adapted for sleeping and/or cooking in.

Yep, we found out the expensive way yesterday ... Last year we could park the then rental van, no worries. This year all new signs up, which, I admit, I just didn't read , assumption and habit are terrible things. There are now 15 designated motorhome bays in the main car park, and because of the above definition, campervans are included as a motorhome, so if you are lucky, ok, else no longer welcome.

I'm guessing abuse of the previous freedoms has led to this. Two weeks into Cali ownership and our first experience of being campervan lepers, rather spoilt a lovely day.

Attendant took some lovely photos of the van though, including of the insides through the side window. Time for tints, maybe?

Ah well, loving the van otherwise though.

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@ardm17 , when you say - expensive way - did you get issued a penalty? Does it specifically say the length of a vehicle not allowed or the type of vehicle not allowed?

A vehicle is defined based on the V5C. What does your V5C classify your vehicle as? If it is classified as a car, they cannot do anything. If classified as a MPV, unless the notice states that MPV not allowed, they will not be able to issue a penalty.

Your T6.1 is 4.8 m in length. So you should be OK with it.

Most of the parking attendants do not know the rules/misinterpret the rules.

kurienp said:

Your T6.1 is 4.8 m in length. So you should be OK with it.

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All SWB are just over 4.9m excluding bike rack & towbars.

kurienp said:

@ardm17 , when you say - expensive way - did you get issued a penalty? Does it specifically say the length of a vehicle not allowed or the type of vehicle not allowed?

A vehicle is defined based on the V5C. What does your V5C classify your vehicle as? If it is classified as a car, they cannot do anything. If classified as a MPV, unless the notice states that MPV not allowed, they will not be able to issue a penalty.

Your T6.1 is 4.8 m in length. So you should be OK with it.

Most of the parking attendants do not know the rules/misinterpret the rules.

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Hi Kurienp,

£70 reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. Someone has done their homework on this one, the definition of motorhome is very clear and written to include any campervan, conversion or original factory. The fact that they take photos of the inside to show the kitchen, pop-top and awning means a very clear brief of what to look for. So, it is regardless of the V5C, even though mine says M1 (passenger car) it is also Motor Caravan body type.

I think they have also covered any vans that might not be clear as to converted or not - under 4.8 metres - I believe Cali's and Transporters are all 4.9 metres - probably Fords etc. too.

Would be an interesting argument over a Caravelle - but I think even the Beach Tour would get done too - motorhome includes any design or convert for sleeping - so even with no kitchen the awning, pop-top roof and bed would count ...

As I say, looks like someone has been very thorough with their homework. I don't think a challenge is worth it, however, I am thinking about sending them an e-mail pointing out that, in order to solve what would clearly seem to be a big issue they have had with 'happy campers', they are now excluding quite a lot of people from visiting if the 15 spaces are full.... suggestion would be to maybe they could relax the daytime parking and maybe have an 8pm 'curfew' on motorhomes etc.

But the place was busy enough, so who knows if they will be too worried, a problem solved and plenty of extra income - I was not the only one who didn't 'see' the notices and thought "We are a campervan/car(M1), not a motorhome" .. we were in plenty of good company too .....

I can't park my t5 California on Swanage sea front as I have onboard cooking facilities. Problem for me as it's my main transport with hand controls. I don't have a blue badge (a story for another time) but don't think that makes a difference.

Perhaps this old thread will be the new answer (probably electric the way to go now) :

Ordering a tow bar starting to seem like a 'really' wise decision ..

Red wine lover said:

I can't park my t5 California on Swanage sea front as I have onboard cooking facilities. Problem for me as it's my main transport with hand controls. I don't have a blue badge (a story for another time) but don't think that makes a difference.

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That's the issue with these type of 'solutions' - in order to stop one thing it often ends up causing, perhaps, unintended issues. A bit like badly designed fishing nets..

Always easier to ban than find a way to effectively 'police' the real issue.. same with dogs.

Illegal for a public authority to take photos inside a vehicle for the purposes of enforcement without a ‘surveillance authority’. It’s intrusive surveillance and requires a specific authority targeted at a specific individual authorised by their ‘authorising officer ‘ - likely their chief exec. They won’t have one.

You could give them quite a fright buy asking them for a copy.

Jim2007 said:

Illegal for a public authority to take photos inside a vehicle for the purposes of enforcement without a ‘surveillance authority’. It’s intrusive surveillance and requires a specific authority targeted at a specific individual authorised by their ‘authorising officer ‘ - likely their chief exec. They won’t have one.

You could give them quite a fright buy asking them for a copy.

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So you are saying it’s illegal for them to photograph your dashboard to show a lack of ticket / time expired ticket?

A Land Rover Discovery is 4,956m long - just saying.

Gavin123 said:

A Land Rover Discovery is 4,956m long - just saying.

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The signage does specify only vans for the length restriction - but I think a VW Combi would get a ticket - as it would be a van, as opposed to the Disco which, I guess, would be a passenger car - there does not appear to be any restriction on those - unless they 'appear' to be designed or adapted for .. etc ..

As I say, they appear to have researched it all very well, however, the restrictions will throw up many cases of unintended consequences.

Next time (if there is..) I'm that way, I will take and then post a photo or two of the signage (was too upset to take any at the time).

Meantime, just to say - check carefully before you park up to ensure you are 'safe'.

andyinluton said:

So you are saying it’s illegal for them to photograph your dashboard to show a lack of ticket / time expired ticket?

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Just been taking a look at those regulations - Intrusive Surveillance would seem to be only 'Covert' and mostly about devices installed into vehicles. Taking photos appears to fall within the guidelines for parking enforcement evidence.
I guess taking a photo of the inside to prove is is 'designed or adapted' probably falls in to the latter. also given that the evidence is provided to view removes it from being 'covert'.

Probably not worth the cost of challenging it legally. Just as long as we are not all forced to apply 'campervan graphics' to prove we are or are not ...

Ah well, at least we can all hold up an entire queue of traffic whilst we study the signs in detail ...

@ardm17 Would be interested to know if you paid the motorhome rate to park _ note from the Website the hourly rate is more for motorhomes than cars. Is the fine due to you parking in a standard bay or for not paying the motorhome rate? some park and ride car parks I have visited have had motor home places that are long bays - which would be a joke for a campervan to park in as you could get 2 in and would soon upset any long-length van owners given the limited numbers of long places. Expect common sense is lacking in the Dorset Council Parking department. Happy to give West Bay a miss never overly impressed with it.

Which car park is this?

ardm17 said:

Just a quick word of warning (apologies if this is well known..), it seems the welcome for motorhomes in the West Bay car parks is now over. Virtually all of the car parks there are now excluding any vans over 4.8 metres length and all motorhomes - the definition of a motorhome being anything designed or adapted for sleeping and/or cooking in.

Yep, we found out the expensive way yesterday ... Last year we could park the then rental van, no worries. This year all new signs up, which, I admit, I just didn't read , assumption and habit are terrible things. There are now 15 designated motorhome bays in the main car park, and because of the above definition, campervans are included as a motorhome, so if you are lucky, ok, else no longer welcome.

I'm guessing abuse of the previous freedoms has led to this. Two weeks into Cali ownership and our first experience of being campervan lepers, rather spoilt a lovely day.

Attendant took some lovely photos of the van though, including of the insides through the side window. Time for tints, maybe?

Ah well, loving the van otherwise though.

Click to expand...

Maybe put the blinds down when parked? They wouldnt be able to see the inside then...

Meoncoast said:

@ardm17 Would be interested to know if you paid the motorhome rate to park _ note from the Website the hourly rate is more for motorhomes than cars. Is the fine due to you parking in a standard bay or for not paying the motorhome rate? some park and ride car parks I have visited have had motor home places that are long bays - which would be a joke for a campervan to park in as you could get 2 in and would soon upset any long-length van owners given the limited numbers of long places. Expect common sense is lacking in the Dorset Council Parking department. Happy to give West Bay a miss never overly impressed with it.

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Hi Meoncoast,

Paid the std. car rate and parked in a 'normal' space. We saw the 'motorhome' spaces on the way in and commented on how nice and big they were for motorhomes - just never realised that 'motorhome' included 'campervans' at the site. The 4 hour car rate was £5, for 'motorhomes £5.50 - so no big increase there, just hardly any spaces.

So, penalty was for parking in an area not designated for class of vehicle. On leaving, there were a couple of Calis in the motorhome spaces - guessing they either read the signs carefully or have got caught before - yes, looked somewhat silly parked in such large spaces, no doubt upsetting larger users.
There are also 2 or 3 'Multi-use' spaces, so if you are towing a caravan or even a small trailer, these are for you - just so long as you do not un-hitch ...
Oh nearly forgot, max of 6 metres length for motorhomes spaces too, if longer the the Multi-use bays..

Checked out the campervan parking at Swanage for an upcoming planned trip - only two long stay car parks available for motorhomes/campervans. Lets hope this policy is reviewed else one of the big reasons for going the campervan route (flexible access to parking) is being lost.

Fully understand an overnight ban, but a complete ban on parking is harsh, especially for those who have plumped for a Cali as their only vehicle ... I guess too many were parking up, setting up for the day and leaving mess/not 'contributing' to the local economy... Maybe we will see tourist tax becoming a thing, like that being proposed in Wales ...

apreading said:

Which car park is this?

Maybe put the blinds down when parked? They wouldnt be able to see the inside then...

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Seems to be all of them at West Bay - apart form the West Bay Road car park, where the motorhome bays are now located.
There are seem to be many websites not updated and still saying that the Long Stay Station car park accepts motorhomes - that was where we parked - sadly cars and motorcycles only now.

This from the Dorset web site:

for a full list: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/parking/find-a-carpark/find-a-car-park

Note: it lists motorhomes - but nothing about how many (few) spaces there are almost as if they want to a. upset plenty over the 15 bay limit or b. catch plenty PCN's from 'vans'... although the website seems to suggest that there are 438 spaces ...
Guess I will have to go back armed with a camera and notepad to verify.

Regarding the blinds - they would still have got us under the 4.8 metre max van size rule ... very carefully defined ...

If it was only the length that they got you on, I would be asking for a copy of the calibration certificate of the measuring device and proof of training of the operator.

andyinluton said:

If it was only the length that they got you on, I would be asking for a copy of the calibration certificate of the measuring device and proof of training of the operator.

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It wasn't - my guess is that the length is a 'fallback' for stealth campers and van exclusion. I would imagine they would just take the manufacturer's official published measurements as sufficient evidence.

Could we take front/rear bumper off when we park to come under 4.8m?

ardm17 said:

It wasn't - my guess is that the length is a 'fallback' for stealth campers and van exclusion. I would imagine they would just take the manufacturer's official published measurements as sufficient evidence.

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You could have some fun winding them up about it though. I would have had a go at wriggling out of a ticket if it was just the length.

OK - doing some reading, its about as clear as mud...

The relevant parking order seems to be this one: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/do...orset+Car+Parks+Consolidation+Draft+Order.pdf

In this, it defines:

“Motorhome” (includes “Campervan”, “Caravanette”, “Motorcaravan”) means “a
vehicle constructed or adapted to include living accommodation which contains at least the
following equipment:
• Seats and table
• Sleeping accommodation which may be converted from seats
• Cooking facilities
• Storage facilities
This equipment shall be rigidly fixed to the living compartment; however, the table may be
designed to be easily removable.”
“Motor Car” and “Car” as described in the 1988 Act and includes any part of a vehicle.

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So they only class as a motorhome if it has ALL of the equipment - if you dont have cooking facilities then you are not a motorhome by their definition, so any Cali Beach owners without the fold out cooker would be OK for example.

The 1988 act defines "Motor Car" as:

“motor car” means a mechanically propelled vehicle, not being a motor cycle or an invalid carriage, which is constructed itself to carry a load or passengers and the weight of which unladen—

(a)if it is constructed solely for the carriage of passengers and their effects, is adapted to carry not more than seven passengers exclusive of the driver and is fitted with tyres of such type as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State, does not exceed 3050 kilograms,

(b)if it is constructed or adapted for use for the conveyance of goods or burden of any description, does not exceed 3050 kilograms, or 3500 kilograms if the vehicle carries a container or containers for holding for the purposes of its propulsion any fuel which is wholly gaseous at 17.5 degrees Celsius under a pressure of 1.013 bar or plant and materials for producing such fuel,

(c)does not exceed 2540 kilograms in a case not falling within sub-paragraph (a) or (b) above,

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I would suggest a case could be made that a California comes under the definition of motor car in this case.

I found a picture of the sign at a Lyme Regis car park which is presumably very similar:




I emailed parking@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk to ask:

I tried to park in a car park in West Bay but noticed that all of them said cars or motorbikes only, apart from West Bay Road which also allowed coaches and motorhomes.

I drive an MPV (a 7 seater VW Transporter) - this is 4.9 metres long and fits within normal parking spaces wherever I go.

However, the signs suggested that I dont fit into any of the categories catered for - its not a motorhome but its (just) over 4.8 metres. The small number of motorhome spaces in West Bay Road which were much longer than I needed were all occupied.

So I could have parked in a normal space but I was unsure if a) I was allowed to and b) whether I would have to pay the motorhome rate even though I was not a motorhome?

And I am not sure if I was even able to park in the other car parks in West Bay?

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and they replied:

Please check the following link, https://streets.appyway.com/dorset for TRO’s. You could park in the normal parking bays.

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I realise that I didnt ask them about campervans, because I wanted to test whether the 4.8 metre rule was an issue and it seems like it is not, at least not when you arent a campervan...

So it seems like 'class of vehicle' is they key but despite trying to come up with their own definition (which presumably they were trying to document yours met by all of their photos), they also state in their parking order that "Car" is as per the 1988 Road Traffic Act (which a California seems to meet).

I am not suggesting taking it to court but I think you would have a reasonable case.

I wonder if you had paid the motorhome fee but parked in a normal space whether they would have been OK with that? (Not suggesting anyone go back to try it out).