The post you are reporting:
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.
