howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#2
A ban would just send the problem elsewhere. Why not charge £10 a night and use the proceeds to build proper toilet and waste facilities, with nightly patrols to ensure compliance?
A blanket ban just seems like a knee-jerk local-government-mentality response.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#3
Some areas already have a problem with lorries parking up overnight because of the layby closures this proposed ban will only exacerbate the problem.
DDC should do as Peter suggests or DHB must provide an area for the vans to park over night.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
#4
I agree with Peter, charge them £10.00 to park overnight. I'd said this years ago, but no notice was taken then, wouoldn't be now either.
Roger
Guest 1172- Registered: 28 Jan 2014
- Posts: 179
#5
Would £10 a night cover such a service? I doubt it.
What I found interesting in this post was that it so very much sounded like it was about Gypsy Travellers. All the things the papers write about them and the problems they cause. The only difference was in this case they said it was 'understandable' that people defecate in public places and leave black bin bags. Solutions are even offered. The exact solutions that are denied to those Travellers who are permanently forced to keep moving because they don't have a place to call 'home'
''''''"People have been using the garden areas as toilets, defecating in the entrance area, leaving black bin bags of litter in the street and playing loud music at night.
"It is quite understandable because these people are on their holidays - but they need somewhere more appropriate to do it. The council should find a parcel of land, put wash and electric facilities in place and charge them a fee. They could make good money out of it."........................
I think a blanket ban is the fairest way forward and not a knee jerk reaction at all.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#6
To be honest I have never noticed a problem with camper vans or caravans along the seafront. These things have their own toilets as I understand it and personally I have never seen them using the bushes etc. I see the general passer-by occasionally using the beach in the evening which is inevitable I guess considering the toilet situation. In my view the camper vans or caravans bring a bit of life to the place after 6pm otherwise it would be nigh on deserted.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
#7
The voice of reason as ever Paul. What an unwelcoming place Dover can be.
Audere est facere.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#8
Those who use the gardens as a public toilet as more likely to be the local drunks.
My daughter's in-laws live in the flats and I have never heard them complaining about these camper vans.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#9
I would like to know how they will implement the ban, they can't employ someone to cover the area for 84 hours a week.
What would happen to someone who refused to moved their camper van?
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#10
Clamped and then towed so long as they are from the UK, if foreign they will get away free like foreign vehicles do now which is completely unfair and wrong.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#11
easy howard,12 on 12 off over 7 nights.
Guest 643- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,321
#12
I agree with Paul and Martin. We quite often drive along the seafront in the evening and the campers bring an air of - oh I don't know - it just feels nice lol. Personally I love camper vans and caravans, it's the gypsy in me
Must be great to wake up in the morning, open the door and see our lovely waterfront. I say leave them alone, they do no harm and as Paul says - the seafront would be so quiet without them, like in the winter. I think it's just something else for the moaners to moan about!
There's always a little truth behind every "Just kidding", a little emotion behind every "I don't care" and a little pain behind every "I'm ok".
Guest 1344- Registered: 13 Sep 2014
- Posts: 1
#13
A word, if I may, from a regular.
Firstly, two clarifications. Please do not confuse caravans and motorhomes. The folk who park up on Marine parade are in motorhomes. Caravans are towed units, which are much longer and are not usually self-contained. They generally have to use caravan sites, for reasons of size and facilities. You will seldom see a caravan on Marine Parade.
Secondly, we do not take kindly to being accused of the anti-social and unhygienic practices of some of the travelling community. With the odd exception, we are clean, polite and considerate; self contained and leave no unfriendly trace of our sojourn among you.
The motorhomers who park on Marine Parade have either just come off a late ferry and do not wish to drive long distances at night, or they have arrived late in the day ready for an early morning ferry. Parking is presently free from 6.00 pm until 9.00 am, and indeed by 9.00am most of them are long gone. Having said that, they have gone on their onward drive or early ferry, and not skedaddled to avoid paying.
As has been noted above, Marine Parade is all but deserted after 6.00 pm, so why deny its use by motorhomers ?
I, and hundreds of others are most appreciative of this facility and have written to Dover Council to say so. So convenient is it, that a small charge for an overnight stay might be appropriate - say £2 - £3. But not a deterrent level such has been mentioned - punishment for coming to Dover !
Dover Council clearly appreciate that there are other routes for reaching the continent and it is to be hoped that they will continue to make us feel welcome.
WilliamB
Bob Whysman
- Registered: 23 Aug 2013
- Posts: 1,948
#14
Jan Higgins wrote:Clamped and then towed so long as they are from the UK, if foreign they will get away free like foreign vehicles do now which is completely unfair and wrong.
Perhaps this idea could be of some use Jan?
because after all, what do retired people do all day?
Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting.
Well, for example, the other day my wife and I went into town and went into a shop.
We were only in there for about 5 minutes and when we came out, there was a traffic warden writing out a parking ticket.
We went up to him and said, 'Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?'
He ignored us and continued writing the ticket.
I called him a Nazi turd.
He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tyres.
So my wife called him a **** (offensive word removed)-head.
He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first.
Then he started writing a third ticket.
This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.
Personally, we didn't care............We came into town by bus.
Do nothing and nothing happens.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
#15
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#16
We can't afford the bus on a daily basis. Special occasions only.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 767- Registered: 30 Aug 2012
- Posts: 458
#17
Peter, surely you have a pass by now?.......I do, and I am still a few years short of 65!
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#18
No Phil, sometime next year apparently.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#19
When it came in it was simply a 60th birthday thing, no announcement was made of change to eligibilty and people only find out when they apply for their concessionary pass. I know of someone who has been told they will get one at the age of 65.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
#20
If we need to take the bus to Dover, it's £4.50 each single fare. Diesel is £1.35 a litre, which sends our car 12 miles. Do the sums. And before you start on the fixed costs of car ownership- we need a car for the business anyway.
Regarding parking restrictions, I know a few places where you can't be ticketed because DDC/KCC didn't do their legal work properly.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
