Re: Advice for Councils installing an Aire or Aire De Service

I prepared an Email to send to all 36 Councillors and 5 TD in Co Wicklow. Cast your eye over it and add or subtract where you might think necessary.
Recommendations or Corrections please, I will hold off sending it until I see any of you have any input.

Firstly, will one of you please pass this on to Councillor Pat Doran as he seems not to have an Email address.

As a Motorhome owner and a member of a Forum ( Motorhomecraic.com. we currently have 28 million visitors and 5500, mainly Irish, registered members. ) interested in the promotion of all things to do with Motorhome holidaying, I would like to bring to your attention to the lack of facilities in Co. Wicklow
what is required to bring motorhome tourism to your locality is an " Aire ". This is a term used throughout Europe to describe an overnight parking place for Motorhomes ( not Caravans ) When we use the simple term "Aire" we generally mean an Aire Stationnement (parking area), which may or may not have a service bay. "Aire de Service" is a term which translates to Service Area, the bay where emptying and refilling are provided.
At this stage, so as not to confuse anyone what we are asking for your assistance with is "Motorhome Parking and Motorhome Service Area's" The very minimum "Motorhome Parking area " is, two white lines to park between ( a little wider than the normal car space ) for an overnight stop, with a grass / graveled or paved area to the rear to allow for rear axle overhang, initially with very little expenditure , this can be provided in any car park in Scenic areas , Towns, Villages , within walking distance of shops , supermarkets , Pubs , Restaurants , places of interest .
Preferably Free overnight or for a reasonable charge. If you consider, for example, Public car parks, Swimming pool, council offices. GAA, Soccer, Rugby Clubs, Supermarket, mostly empty at night and some at weekends.

If it would help Council officials and managers to understand , how little or no money, need be spent initially, to get the "Motorhome Tourism " going in your area , we would be prepared to organize three or four different types of Motorhome / Campervans to meet at the council offices before the next council meeting or at an arranged time, to demonstrate the space required and how self-sufficient they are with regard to toilet, washing and waste facilities.
Martin.
In other Jurisdictions, Schools offer their facilities during holiday times and weekends for a fee.
In places where full facilities " Motorhome Service Area's" are provided the entrance is by Token or credit card operated barriers.
We have our own guidelines, which we expect our members to adhere to and would generally recommend a 2/3 night stay in any one place. At all times local rules are obeyed or enforced.
The standard motorhome insurance policy, underwritten by Axa Ireland allows for overnight parking, as long as the policyholder take reasonable steps regarding their location.
All other types of leisure accommodation, caravan, tent, motor racing vehicle/horse transporters are not insured when overnighting at an unofficial stop.
By providing some targeted motorhome parking, the council can promote locations, not on the general tourism trails. An example for Co Wicklow provide some motorhome parking in Baltinglass or Stratford on Slaney, which would allow motorhomes to access Glendalough from the Hollywood side and this, in turn, would free traffic from the Rathdrum / Laragh side.

"2015 figures issued by the European Caravan Federation stated that there were approximately 1.7 million motorhomes registered in Europe with the highest levels of ownership in Germany, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.

Cork County Councils View Point. http://ow.ly/CoLn30icMfx

If we accept that our membership consists of owners, there are 5000 plus motorhomes in Ireland ( north and south )

There is information attached.

A "Motorhome Parking Area" (pdf file).

GUIDE_TO_USING_A_MOTORHOME_AIRE_IN_IRELAND ( pdf )

Examples of Aires can be found here: http://www.motorcaravanningireland.org/

There is also a great facility in the North Of Ireland if you care to investigate it.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/ar…ng-forests

I would also like to bring to your attention some of the other groups interested in this topic.
Campaigners and Supporters who are on the same page with what we would like for Motorhome Parking in Ireland North & South.

Websites:
Motorhome Craic
Motorhome Parking Ireland
Motorcaravanning Ireland
Facebook Groups:
Motorhome Craic & Motorhome Parking Ireland
Motorhome Friendly Locations Ireland
Motorhome Locations Ireland
Clubs:
Phoenix Motorhome Club
App:
Motorhome Parking Ireland
Motorhome Parking Ireland FB Group

Between them, they have over 35 Million visitors from all around the world. Motorhomecraic.com alone has 23 million and 5000, mainly Irish, registered members.

Obviously, as I am sending this all Councillors and TD in Co. Wicklow It will be of no help any of you, or to me to receive a standard thank you for your contact letter. I would rather you spend your time doing something for motorhome tourism in Wicklow and become a leader in this regard, " motorhome parking " and an example to other Counties to follow.

Thanks.

Pleas word the whole paragraph as you think it should read , it with the figures if you have them, then I can be paste and copy

I think that there should be mention about insurance regarding MH parking.
Ths standard motorhome insurance policy, underwritten by Axa Ireland allows for overnight parking, as long as the policy holder take reasonable steps regarding their location. All other types of leisure accommodation, caravan, tent, motor racing vehicle / horse transporters are not insured when overnighting at an unofficial stop.
Second point,
By providing some targeted motorhome parking, the council can promote locations, not on the general tourism trails. An example for Co. Wicklow, provide some motorhome parking in Baltinglass or Stratford on Slaney, which would allow motorhomes to access Glenalough from the Hollywood side and this in turn would free traffic from the Rathdrum / laragh side.

Martin, feel free to play around with the above.
Malcolm
Ps, I was reared in Wicklow.

Martin this is what Cork said,

"2015 figures issued by the European Caravan Federation stated that there were approximately 1.7 million motorhomes registered in Europe with the highest levels of ownership in Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

These figures indicate that there is a significant market in overseas motorhome tourism as well as within the Irish domestic market. "

Found reference to 11k MH in Ireland 4 years ago but I think it was from ROI stats, so not including NI. That's the total we need. I'll keep looking.

The term "Aire de Service" is a term which gained traction of few years ago among some in NI. It translates to Service Area, the bay where emptying and refilling is provided. It probably came from the misuse of the French term Aire de Service which refers to a service bay as often found at supermarkets and garage forecourts.
Aire Stationnement refers to the parking areas.
When we use the simple term "Aire" we generally mean an Aire Stationnement (parking area), which may or may not have a service bay.
In the English language the term "Parking Area" most closely equates to the French term "Aire Stationnement"
"Aire de Sercice" really only means a "Services Bay" and should not be used when referencing Parking Areas.

The problem with using that Poll as I see it is only 84 people voted.

Tell me about it. It's hard getting some Motorhomers to help themselves.

I have said previously on here. We are not French and we should be calling them "Motorhome Parking and Motorhome Service Area's" or something similar.

Calling them Aires and Aire De Service is adding to confusion for new & old Motorhomers alike.


WIll also add this....again

The rules created in ROI and NI are created by ourselves, there is no legislation, no guidelines and we are just following those in Europe. We need a standard set and agreed upon.

Most of us agree on the rules in our file: Click HERE to download

But not everyone sees our guide and knows that we should not have tables out, take up more space than our footprint etc

Views?

I agree, there is a huge difference, I have been known to quote "we are not in france" when asked why I was still talking outside at 9PM - Irish people do not behave like the French, fine if you want to do that in France, but don't expect us to do here what they do there.

In saying the above... we like to do what you have mentioned above, but they also do that n france, park on an Aire for a few days. What we have to be careful about is mixing up Parking and Camping. Whether you stay for 1 night or 3 days - you are either parked or camped depending on the area you are staying in, as I am sure you already know.

I think my point above was that quite a few here, see no difference and why should they? I re-iterate, there is no legislation - no guidelines and no advice from authorities, we police ourselves and MHC have been trying to help that over the last 6 + years but *I* think we need the legislation or a governing body - maybe that's already us.

My thinking on this would be 2/3 nights . 2 nights would suite most people arrive Friday home Sunday and then for the old and bewildered add Sunday night , home Monday . which would cover B/Holidays.

While i am here I agree with Ally ,we should try putting our common language on this now .
Motorhome Parking . Motorhome Service area.
In case we end up with the situation like ( " who is going to feed the Gondolas " )

It looks great Martin. Well done,
Malcolm

I've been thinking of doing something similar in Wexford although my letter writing skills would be nowhere near as high as your's Martin. One offer I was going to make to the councilors was to organise three or four different types of motorhome to meet at the council offices before the next council meeting. I think this would be a great way to educate them and demonstrate our toilet, washing and waste facilities. It would also be a good way to talk them through their fears and point out how little or no money need be spent initially to get the ball rolling.
As I am going away in a few weeks I wouldn't be able to do anything until I get back and it would be the July meeting of the council that I'd be targeting. If no one in Wexford wants to run with this I'd be happy to take in on when I return.

I have sent out the first post to Wicklow Co CO and TD's below is a standard copy which can be used in the whole by adding in your own County or part of where it might suit another organization.

As a Motorhome owner and a member of a Forum ( Motorhomecraic.com. we currently have 23 million visitors and 5000, mainly Irish, registered members. ) interested in the promotion of all things to do with Motorhome holidaying, I would like to bring to your attention to the lack of facilities in Co.=======..
what is required to bring motorhome tourism to your locality is an " Aire ". This is a term used throughout Europe to describe an overnight parking place for Motorhomes ( not Caravans ) When we use the simple term "Aire" we generally mean an Aire Stationnement (parking area), which may or may not have a service bay. "Aire de Service" is a term which translates to Service Area, the bay where emptying and refilling are provided.
At this stage, so as not to confuse anyone what we are asking for your assistance with is "Motorhome Parking and Motorhome Service Area's" The very minimum "Motorhome Parking area " is, two white lines to park between ( a little wider than the normal car space ) for an overnight stop, with a grass / graveled or paved area to the rear to allow for rear axle overhang, initially with very little expenditure , this can be provided in any car park in Scenic areas , Towns, Villages , within walking distance of shops , supermarkets , Pubs , Restaurants , places of interest .
Preferably Free overnight or for a reasonable charge. If you consider, for example, Public car parks, Swimming pool, council offices. GAA, Soccer, Rugby Clubs, Supermarket, mostly empty at night and some at weekends.

If it would help Council officials and managers to understand , how little or no money, need be spent initially, to get the "Motorhome Tourism " going in your area , we would be prepared to organize three or four different types of Motorhome / Campervans to meet at the council offices before the next council meeting or at an arranged time, to demonstrate the space required and how self-sufficient they are with regard to toilet, washing and waste facilities.

In other Jurisdictions, Schools offer their facilities during holiday times and weekends for a fee.
In places where full facilities " Motorhome Service Area's" are provided the entrance is by Token or credit card operated barriers.
We have our own guidelines, which we expect our members to adhere to and would generally recommend a 2/3 night stay in any one place. At all times local rules are obeyed or enforced.
The standard motorhome insurance policy, underwritten by Axa Ireland allows for overnight parking, as long as the policyholder take reasonable steps regarding their location.
All other types of leisure accommodation, caravan, tent, motor racing vehicle/horse transporters are not insured when overnighting at an unofficial stop.
By providing some targeted motorhome parking, the council can promote locations, not on the general tourism trails. An example =====================( If you have one to add)

"2015 figures issued by the European Caravan Federation stated that there were approximately 1.7 million motorhomes registered in Europe with the highest levels of ownership in Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

If we accept that our membership consists of owners, there are 5000 plus motorhomes in Ireland ( north and south )

Therein information attached.

A "Motorhome Parking Area" (pdf file).

GUIDE_TO_USING_A_MOTORHOME_AIRE_IN_IRELAND ( pdf )

Examples of Aires can be found here: http://www.motorcaravanningireland.org/

There is also a great facility in the North Of Ireland if you care to investigate it.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/ar…ng-forests

I would also like to bring to your attention some of the other groups interested in this topic.
Campaigners and Supporters who are on the same page with what we would like for Motorhome Parking in Ireland North & South.

Websites:
Motorhome Craic
Motorhome Parking Ireland
Motorcaravanning Ireland
Facebook Groups:
Motorhome Craic & Motorhome Parking Ireland
Motorhome Friendly Locations Ireland
Motorhome Locations Ireland
Clubs:
Phoenix Motorhome Club
App:
Motorhome Parking Ireland
Motorhome Parking Ireland FB Group

Between them, they have over 35 Million visitors from all around the world. Motorhomecraic.com alone has 23 million and 5000, mainly Irish, registered members.

Obviously, as I am sending this all Councillors and TD in Co.====== It will be of no help any of you, or to me to receive a standard thank you for your contact letter. I would rather you spend your time doing something for motorhome tourism in ====== and become a leader in this regard, " motorhome parking " and an example to other Counties to follow
Best Regards

This is the list so far
To: "Cllr. Jennifer Whitmore" <whitmore.jennifer@gmail.com>, Nicola Lawless <nicola.lawless.sf@gmail.com>, Grainne Mc Loughlin <cllrgrainnemcloughlin@gmail.com>, Gerry Walsh <gerrywalsh00@gmail.com>, Tom Fortune <tom.fortune49@gmail.com>
Cc: Derek Mitchell <mitchelld@eircom.net>, GDunne@wicklowcoco.ie, MKavanagh@wicklowcoco.ie, daire.nolan.1988@gmail.com, IWinters@wicklowcoco.ie, PVance@wicklowcoco.ie, jcbthornhill@gmail.com, jryan@greatplacetowork.ie, olobriain@gmail.com, stevensgreenbray@gmail.com, cllrmichaeloconnor@gmail.com, joebehan@outlook.ie, ETimmins@wicklowcoco.ie, JRuttle@wicklowcoco.ie, GEONeill@wicklowcoco.ie, TCullen@wicklowcoco.ie, vblake@wicklowcoco.ie, murphyinmotion@gmail.com, marymcdonaldsinnfein@gmail.com, patkennedy1@outlook.com, PFitzgerald@wicklowcoco.ie, SBourke@wicklowcoco.ie, tomannesley@yahoo.co.uk, info@visitwicklow.ie
billytimminswicklow@gmail.com
info@wicklowpartnership.ie
One answer.
Hi Martin
So agree with you. At last mtg of Greystones Municipal District Zoe =( typo.)( Apologies. Predictive text etc. I proposed etc ) asked Wicklow County Council to explore land use that would be suitable.
I would like to see a professionally managed van park with full facilities.
We are loosing a vital and important tourism project. I will explore further.
Regards
Grainne Mc Loughlin
For the Attention.
Shane Ross Minister for Transport, Tourism, and Sport
Michael Ring. Minister for Rural and Community Development
Josepha Madigan. Minister for Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht
Michael Creed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Andrew Doyle Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture,
the Marine with the special responsibility, Forestry ( because the department of the marine are engaged in a policy of preventing Motorhomes overnighting in harbours around Ireland also if you look to the initiative in the north with their 'Touring in the Trees' project.)

It was suggested to me, that I forward this to you, because your departments may have a role in this also. therefore might have some influence in promoting Motorhome tourism in the future in Ireland as you can see it has gone to every elected member in Wicklow and will I hope to be sent to every elected person in the whole of the 26 counties and some of the other six, although some of them are way ahead of everyone down here.
regards

Martin , a couple of very valid points there that need addressed. I'll reply Monday, last day of holidays and in a great bar!!

Hmmmm, when did I type that? Quite coherent all the same.


Anyhow....... What Mark said reference the caravans and also this in the reply.. "I would like to see a professionally managed van park with full facilities."

That sounds too much like an intended campsite, could you clarify with him? Getting in at this early stage and making it clear that is exactly what we don't require is very important I think.

The Aire in Saint Porchaire has the same thing. I have always thought it was simple but effective.

Can you post that here Colin


forum/topic.php?t=16312

Below is a fabulously simple and inexpensive really good cassette emptying point I came across in my recent travels.