Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

Ally

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Subject:

Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #1

From Ards and North Down Council.

Quote

I’m hoping you might be able to help me get a message out via your platforms to motorhome users that once they have made use of the aire de services at the commons for power or water, they should move away and park elsewhere on the site to enable other users to gain access. We had a report last week of 2 motorhomes who were there for 3 days without moving.

The signage at machine does encourage users to move away out of respect for others, and you’d think it would be a matter of commonsense/basic unselfishness, but it is happening.

Please also let users know that in our borough we restrict the number of tokens which can be bought at any of our outlets, and have had to raise the price, as some users were buying many tokens and taking them out of the borough, meaning we regularly have to replenish stocks of tokens, which are expensive. If users continue to buy more tokens than they need to use during their stay in our borough, the price of tokens will continue to rise unfortunately.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #2

For anyone unsure, please download and print out our guide.

wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/…RELAND.pdf

jacktherev

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #3

It's about time that this practice stopped the Commons. We were there a few week ends ago and 2 Motorhomes hogged that area the whole week end.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #4

Quote

The signage at machine does encourage users to move away out of respect for others, and you’d think it would be a matter of commonsense/basic unselfishness, but it is happening.

Unfortunately, Common Sense is not that common

...

Subject:

Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #5

Isn't it a pity the council ignored my advice to make the service area more obvious.
I suggested the words "MOTORHOME SERVICE AREA" to replace the current "MOTORHOME ONLY".
I was told that it is mentioned on the sign and people should read it. It now appears that not everyone reads the sign. This isn't the first time this has happened.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #6

At the Commons yesterday, one van (member of a large club) parked at an angle effectively taking up two spaces and forcing another van to use the services area.No consideration for other users of the aire.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #7

unfortunately common sense is replaced with ignorance in many cases you will find those who did park there would be the first ones to complain when the aire is closed! anyway is three days not excessive length to stay? either ways a couple of parking fines would make them think twice next time.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #8

I think it also safe to assume that people just do not know how they should behave, yes it's easy to say they are being pricks and some of them probably are. But I am sure there are those that don't realise they are supposed to move on, Aires are a relatively new thing in this country and an endless amount of caravan owners question why they can't use them every day on Facebook. There is a lot of confusion and a lot of people don't know what they are. Education is required, new Motorhomers who have never been on the continent don't know how they work.

One of the reasons we are building this page: wp/index.php/category/aires/

Have said it numerous times, there is no legislation and calling a Motorhome Service Area and Aire De Service doesn't help.

We are slowly changing the definition on the App to "MH Service" & "MH Parking" - we are not French

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 24.04.2017 · #9

Maybe a few flyers to put on their windscreen in such events to tell them to move on.
Make them official looking as if from the council

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 25.04.2017 · #10

Going to also add this...

The situation is not helped by the inconsistency of Motorhome service operations, especially in NI.

Donaghadee I would assume (as someone who does not go to the continent) is more in line with the normal operation of a service area, service your Motorhome and leave that bay.

But we then have Portglenone, £10 for 24 hours parking and 24 hours of Electric. Brougshane, £5 per night with 10 hours of electric.

None of the service area's in NI have a proper drive over Grey Water drain.

This brings me nicely back to this post: forum/topic.php?t=13040

Is it any wonder confusion is rife.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 25.04.2017 · #11

I totally agree with all the comments, I've called in to empty tanks and found the aire blocked a few times by people parked up . Better signage needed.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 25.04.2017 · #12

Agree with all that has been said so far but I fear that, given the attitude of todays society, the few will always spoil it for the rest. There will always be some self-centred being who does what they want regardless of how it affects others. Signage may help but I think that some will just suit themselves regardless.

As a side note, if the Council has been made aware of certain vans sitting for 3 days why have they not paid them a visit?

Also, surely if someone is buying a lot of tokens would that not suggest that they are going to sit in the service bay for far longer than they should? have been to Donaghadee a couple of times but have never bought tokens so not sure how that all operates to be honest!

the fat controller

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 25.04.2017 · #13

There is another possibly more sinister reason for buying a lot of tokens

kabundi

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 25.04.2017 · #14

Quote by the fat controller

There is another possibly more sinister reason for buying a lot of tokens

What else do they fit?

the fat controller

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 26.04.2017 · #15

The bourne at Broughshane! You get more leccy for the tokens there, it has been complained about also.

kabundi

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 26.04.2017 · #16

Quote by the fat controller

The bourne at Broughshane! You get more leccy for the tokens there, it has been complained about also.

And all to save a quid, Cheapskates.

This sounds like an excellent way to Pxxs off the providers so that they withdraw the facility for us all

the fat controller

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 26.04.2017 · #17

There are those that would sell their own granny for a quid

Ally

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #18

Just because the Bourne at Donaghadee is broken and doesn't switch off, doesn't mean you should be plugged in all day hogging the EHU and fleecing the services on offer.

Long EHU leads being used to make the most of the EHU.

Some Motorhomers will not be happy until this service is removed.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #19

Typical greed, if it's free knock your self out,

And they will be the first whinging bas****d to complain

Any idea what can be done

the fat controller

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #20

sneak up at night with a sharp axe and sever all ties!

Ally

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #21

Quote by mad max

Any idea what can be done

Firing squad?

I have emailed the council to let them know that it is broken. (I'll be popular - lol)

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #22

That's the spirit

both of you

Ally

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #23

Opening a channel.......

I have always known some Councils read this website.

I know for sure this thread is being read frequently.

Now at this point you have an opportunity to speak (in)directly to a council that is very Motorhome friendly and may be putting more "Motorhome Service Points" into their area.

So don't be shy, but please be polite

Education is needed on both sides, by Councils and by Motorhomers. Your local Council may be reading this also.

ntg

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #24

Quote by Ally

Education is needed on both sides, by Councils and by Motorhomers. Your local Council may be reading this also.

Ok here is my take on this subject,the majority of us are Motorhomers looking for somewhere that we can park safely and if there is a nominal fee to be paid then that is acceptable.
We accept that there are people that will go to the end of the earth to be freeloaders (People who want everything for nothing) but this is the minority.

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Subject:

Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #25

It is known who the abusers are the council need to enforce the laws and not tar everyone with the same brush.
We have the same problem in the south the Council and the powers to be, wont enforce the law .
Instead when people abuse parking areas the introduce BOULDERS and BARRIE.
Its as relay very simple do your job.

Ally

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 09.05.2017 · #26

Quote by sprinter

I don't think most councils are tarring anyone.

- the minority of motorhomers are however.

Also enforcers are not available at Aire's. I quote..

Quote

Unfortunately the Council has limited resources to send officers out to admonish abusers of the service, and the staff on site are from our Leisure team servicing the facilities at the Commons, not there as "enforcers". We therefore do rely heavily on the Motorhome community policing themselves.

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 11.05.2017 · #27

So that's all you lot have to say on the subject ?

An open communication with a Council.

Where are all those who feel strongly about Motorhome Parking and the lack of facilities to accommodate that?

What would you like to see?

What services would you like?

Do you think we need more Motorhome Parking?

Do you think we are catered for?

Do you think Councils are anti Motorhome?

What about campsites? how are they alienating you? Could they do more?

Why is their height barriers? Why are they not removed to allow tourism?

_______________
I could go on.

the fat controller

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Re: Abuse of Aire De Service, The Commons, Donaghadee

· Posted: 11.05.2017 · #28

To be honest I thought the open communication was only in relation to the abuse of the Aire at Donaghadee, but if its open to advancement then lets start a separate post on who what where when and how to progress and get a dialog going

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