CAMpRA UK Ltd (CAMpRA) is asking its Facebook group members to ‘spend a penny’ to help set up a national network of waste points for motorhomes and campervans (motorcaravans).

Most motorcaravans are self sufficient, i.e. not needing campsite facilities, but do need to empty out waste waters and top up with fresh water every three or four days. To boost the number of suitable waste points in the UK. CAMpRA has launched a funding initiative to help provide a network of places where motorcaravan staycationers and overseas visitors are able to empty out water and toilet waste. More than £12,000 has already been donated by campaign members and supporters.

Aires – common in most cities, towns and villages, in Europe – are safe overnight parking areas for motorcaravans only, most have waste points and fresh water. Aires can located in designated parking bays in local authority/private car parks, sports clubs and village halls, visitor attractions and supermarkets. The CAMpRA funding scheme is aimed primarily at charities and community groups who can use any fees as a source of income.

Steve Haywood, Managing Director of CAMpRA, a not-for-profit company which has over 26,000 Facebook group members, explained: “This is an area that will not only benefit all of us, but will help to reassure local communities that motorcaravaners are not emptying their waste in ditches, dunes or, the sea or anywhere else they shouldn’t. By looking at locating waste points adjacent to public toilets, where for a small fee toilet waste can be emptied, we are supporting local communities with additional income.”

CAMpRA is advising Councils on the benefits of installing central waste points to service several overnight parking areas. Since it was founded in 2020, 115 Aires have opened in the UK with a number of others in the pipeline.

In 2020 there were over 2 million motorcaravans in Europe, with nearly 400,000 owners in UK alone – the number steadily rising partly due to Covid travel restrictions. The average spend by motorcaravanners, using Aires, is £47 per day in pubs local shops and attractions.

Added Steve: “Many more popular areas are now becoming overwhelmed due to social media coverage and the expanding number of motorcaravans in the UK. Communities who tolerated a few motorcaravans are now complaining about the number and lack of facilities for them. As a consequence, we are seeing more ‘no overnight parking’ signs. For many years European countries have seen the financial benefits of providing facilities for motorcaravans. Our aim is to support and encourage the establishment of more and more Aires. These waste points along with Aires serve to promote tourism, servicing the needs of both UK Nationals and oversea visitors alike.”

Anyone can donate by visiting campra.org.uk/waste-point-fund-donations.

Editor’s note:- For further information email CAMpRA UK Ltd on contact@campra.org.uk or visit campra.org.uk for further details and success stories.