Overnight Parking in Laybys

[Jude]

If local authority forbid it , what is the fine if caught .
Does there have to be signs in layby to state no overnight parking .
Think the police can ask you to move on .

If someone could clarify full situation.
Think it's up to relevant local authority to decide if can park in laybys or no

 

[Jude]

The overnight situation does seem to be more complicated in England. Use park4night and everyone suggests. Don't stop on laybys unless it is an emergency - that is anything that constitutes a risk to others such the side step remaining open or something flapping about or in my case, a pressing need to have an in-house pee. I will only stop for any length of time if I can get well off the road. Keep lights on and stop on the side in the direction in which you are travelling.

Type B laybys, those which have a segregation island between the rest area and the road you can stop for a good rest and picnic. Overnight is questionable, There should be a sign. Motoway services allow a stopover for a fee. I find these places usually pretty grim.

This may explain why there are more motorhome and van travellers in Europe. France is far superior. The roads are excellent (even remote country roads), there are stopovers (aires) everywhere and services for your vehicle all year round. You feel welcome driving around France. I even found new Avia services going south on the A75 first after Clermont Ferrand, with spacious showers and laundry facilties!

Scotland is great although a but chilly in winter and I have yet to test Spain, that is next month, heading to Morroco - at least that is the plan.

 

[markdicko1262]

If local authority forbid it , what is the fine if caught .
Does there have to be signs in layby to state no overnight parking .
Think the police can ask you to move on .

If someone could clarify full situation.
Think it's up to relevant local authority to decide if can park in laybys or not

There is an App called Park4Night gives you all the free overnight parking spaces in any location. Try that.

 

[Quiddle]

The overnight situation does seem to be more complicated in England. Use park4night and everyone suggests. Don't stop on laybys unless it is an emergency - that is anything that constitutes a risk to others such the side step remaining open or something flapping about or in my case, a pressing need to have an in-house pee. I will only stop for any length of time if I can get well off the road. Keep lights on and stop on the side in the direction in which you are travelling.

Type B laybys, those which have a segregation island between the rest area and the road you can stop for a good rest and picnic. Overnight is questionable, There should be a sign. Motoway services allow a stopover for a fee. I find these places usually pretty grim.

This may explain why there are more motorhome and van travellers in Europe. France is far superior. The roads are excellent (even remote country roads), there are stopovers (aires) everywhere and services for your vehicle all year round. You feel welcome driving around France. I even found new Avia services going south on the A75 first after Clermont Ferrand, with spacious showers and laundry facilties!

Scotland is great although a but chilly in winter and I have yet to test Spain, that is next month, heading to Morroco - at least that is the plan.

Overnight isn't questionable. The law is very clear and many HGV drivers do park in laybies overnight.

 

[Elly Swanson]

Valid point I had thought that , partically if alone on isolated layby .
Will join Brit stops, do they send you hard copy book , or is it just on app ?

No book Britstop these days, just the app. I think it’s changed a bit since bought out by an American company, but we haven’t been members since.

 

[Glen M]

If local authority forbid it , what is the fine if caught .
Does there have to be signs in layby to state no overnight parking .
Think the police can ask you to move on .

If someone could clarify full situation.
Think it's up to relevant local authority to decide if can park in laybys or not

Right or wrong I have done over the last 12 years i park sleep and move on without leaving a trace. Remember it’s parking and not camping so no windows open or roof up and all activities inside. The main thing is to use your head and not take chances if it doesn’t look right move on.

 

[Jude]

Overnight isn't questionable. The law is very clear and many HGV drivers do park in laybies overnight.

Which laybys? A or B? Can you quote the law - the article number and where to find it. That would be very helpful.

 

[Jude]

Which type of lay-by? A or B? They are not the same. Please substantiate your statement. Can you give a reference of quote the law - it would clarify things.

 

[Little owl1963]

I find that using https://www.britstops.com for the price of a membership and the occasional pint or meal is far, far safer than a random layby.

https://www.thecampervanbible.co.uk/campsites-and-pubstops for a slimmed-down version without the membership fee.

Just joined brit stops special offer £30 year , but as yet I'm finding places iv searched the same places are also on the free app for Park 4 Night , so if venue is full from park 4 night what advantage do Brit stop members get paying £30 .

If same places are on Park4 night why is brit stops any better ??

Any views on this ?

 

[acer]

Just joined brit stops special offer £30 year , but as yet I'm finding places iv searched the same places are also on the free app for Park 4 Night , so if venue is full from park 4 night what advantage do Brit stop members get paying £30 .

If same places are on Park4 night why is brit stops any better ??

Any views on this ?

A rhetorical question I believe. I bought the Britstops book in 2015, but never updated it. I also bought the huge ‘All the Aires’ books a couple of times. However, both have been superseded by technology. Similarly, I used to use paper maps regularly, but now rarely do - maybe occasionally, and mostly because I just like them.

 

[Magic Bus]

A lot of the places on Britstops are pub car parks, farm shops and the like. I doubt these would be on Park4Night. We joined Britstops for a year, when it was by the book, but ended up never staying in any of the sites, mainly because we prefer proper campsites and don’t mind paying £25-35 per night.

 

[Little owl1963]

A lot of the places on Britstops are pub car parks, farm shops and the like. I doubt these would be on Park4Night. We joined Britstops for a year, when it was by the book, but ended up never staying in any of the sites, mainly because we prefer proper campsites and don’t mind paying £25-35 per night.

Compare park 4 night against brit stops so far most pub car parks are on both.
Farm shops maybe not , pubs yes

 

[KevH]

Just joined brit stops special offer £30 year , but as yet I'm finding places iv searched the same places are also on the free app for Park 4 Night , so if venue is full from park 4 night what advantage do Brit stop members get paying £30 .

If same places are on Park4 night why is brit stops any better ??

Any views on this ?

Maybe ask Britstops that question.
There may be benefits that you are not yet aware of.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Just joined brit stops special offer £30 year , but as yet I'm finding places iv searched the same places are also on the free app for Park 4 Night , so if venue is full from park 4 night what advantage do Brit stop members get paying £30 .

If same places are on Park4 night why is brit stops any better ??

Any views on this ?

Though some pubs will be on both, there are many pubs and other places such as rowing clubs and other out of town sites that are Britstop members that aren't on Park4Night.

 

[ArunAlec]

Just joined brit stops special offer £30 year , but as yet I'm finding places iv searched the same places are also on the free app for Park 4 Night , so if venue is full from park 4 night what advantage do Brit stop members get paying £30 .

If same places are on Park4 night why is brit stops any better ??

Any views on this ?

The Park4night listings are basically locations that individuals have recommended, so include all sorts, including campsites, pubs car parks and could include sites that are also Britstop .
Britstop sites are businesses that have signed up to the Britstop “deal” of providing overnight parking/service in the hope that you will use their business.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

The Park4night listings are basically locations that individuals have recommended, so include all sorts, including campsites, pubs car parks and could include sites that are also Britstop .
Britstop sites are businesses that have signed up to the Britstop “deal” of providing overnight parking/service in the hope that you will use their business.

That's an important distinction. The Brit Stops members have to sign a contract confirming their terms of parking provision with facilities listed, and there is actually no legal obligation to even use the facilities as long as you ring to book a space in most cases. Morally, of course, we always have at least a drink or buy something as you would expect.

I for one, certainly feel far safer in a BritStops pub carpark than a random layby some stranger posted on P4N, hence buying a BritStops membership.

 

[ArunAlec]

That's an important distinction. The Brit Stops members have to sign a contract confirming their terms of parking provision with facilities listed, and there is actually no legal obligation to even use the facilities as long as you ring to book a space in most cases. Morally, of course, we always have at least a drink or buy something as you would expect.

I for one, certainly feel far safer in a BritStops pub carpark than a random layby some stranger posted on P4N, hence buying a BritStops membership.

One important point is that the Britstop sites actually want you on their property. I know some of my local P4N locations are in areas where you are not welcome.

 

[Jude]

I am sitting here somewhat pissed off I will explain why under a thread about workshop expertise or lack of), so I thought I would bring something up to date. I have found several forums (or fora), about the safety of sleeping at 'aires' in France. Many reports are outdated and dozens suggest it is dangerous.

As with a layby which is a lay-by, there are different kinds of aire. Aire (area) with services or aire without. You can sleep in both.

France has put great effort into the road and motorway system with the emphasis being on safety. They don't want you falling asleep at the wheel - something I am prone to do. So they have upgraded their motorway service aires offering decent restaurants, nomad office space, playgrounds, picnic areas, toilets, showers and even washing machines and dryers! They wash, polish and fill you up and your vehicle.

You can PARK and sleep for a limited period overnight - 72 hours. I have for many years parked and slept in cars, alone and now in my van on long journeys. I choose a visible location, near other motorhomes and within easy reach of the all night services. Nowadays there are plenty of people stopping over. I prefer the service aires to stop in because there are more people.

France welcomes her van and motorhome travellers and the investment in the roads and services shows this. There always is a risk, but I am comfortable stopping over as a solo vintage female. November 2024.

 

[myvanrodney]

I am sitting here somewhat pissed off I will explain why under a thread about workshop expertise or lack of), so I thought I would bring something up to date. I have found several forums (or fora), about the safety of sleeping at 'aires' in France. Many reports are outdated and dozens suggest it is dangerous.

As with a layby which is a lay-by, there are different kinds of aire. Aire (area) with services or aire without. You can sleep in both.

France has put great effort into the road and motorway system with the emphasis being on safety. They don't want you falling asleep at the wheel - something I am prone to do. So they have upgraded their motorway service aires offering decent restaurants, nomad office space, playgrounds, picnic areas, toilets, showers and even washing machines and dryers! They wash, polish and fill you up and your vehicle.

You can PARK and sleep for a limited period overnight - 72 hours. I have for many years parked and slept in cars, alone and now in my van on long journeys. I choose a visible location, near other motorhomes and within easy reach of the all night services. Nowadays there are plenty of people stopping over. I prefer the service aires to stop in because there are more people.

France welcomes her van and motorhome travellers and the investment in the roads and services shows this. There always is a risk, but I am comfortable stopping over as a solo vintage female. November 2024.

That's really reassuring thank you. We have yet to 'sleep over' in Europe (our next big trip) and I was starting to get put off by quite a few 'too dnagerous' warnings about motorway aires.

 

[kurienp]

I am sitting here somewhat pissed off I will explain why under a thread about workshop expertise or lack of), so I thought I would bring something up to date. I have found several forums (or fora), about the safety of sleeping at 'aires' in France. Many reports are outdated and dozens suggest it is dangerous.

As with a layby which is a lay-by, there are different kinds of aire. Aire (area) with services or aire without. You can sleep in both.

France has put great effort into the road and motorway system with the emphasis being on safety. They don't want you falling asleep at the wheel - something I am prone to do. So they have upgraded their motorway service aires offering decent restaurants, nomad office space, playgrounds, picnic areas, toilets, showers and even washing machines and dryers! They wash, polish and fill you up and your vehicle.

You can PARK and sleep for a limited period overnight - 72 hours. I have for many years parked and slept in cars, alone and now in my van on long journeys. I choose a visible location, near other motorhomes and within easy reach of the all night services. Nowadays there are plenty of people stopping over. I prefer the service aires to stop in because there are more people.

France welcomes her van and motorhome travellers and the investment in the roads and services shows this. There always is a risk, but I am comfortable stopping over as a solo vintage female. November 2024.

Absolutely agree. Being sensible goes a long way in being generally safe. The French networks and service areas are absolutely fantastic!


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