Latest news with #overnightparking
CTV News
12-08-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
London might loosen overnight street parking ban this winter
London city officials are considering loosening the rules for overnight street parking, potentially in time for this winter. A political push is underway at city hall to further ease overnight parking rules on residential streets. On Monday, the Community and Protective Services (CAPS) Committee expanded on a motion by Coun. Jerry Pribil to review the current rules that permit overnight residential street parking between April 30 and Nov. 1. During the winter months, parking is prohibited between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. to allow efficient snow clearing. Weather permitting, each license plate is entitled to 15 exemptions (parking passes) every year. Pribil's motion would direct staff to review the rules in other municipalities, including the rationale for the seasonal duration in London. 'Revisit the option of shortening [the ban] and to include consideration of a specific time, November 15 to March 31,' he asked colleagues on the CAPS Committee. Mayor Josh Morgan joined the meeting and suggested the review also consider lifting the limit of 15 overnight passes— but maintain the ban when roads require snow plowing. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis agreed, 'By and large, most landowners do not use their full 15 days. But it is something where some folks do hit it, and I suspect it's becoming an increasingly common feature as we see these multi-generational families, young adults staying at home longer, [and] renters moving into basement units.' Coun. Corrine Rahman cited a pilot project underway in St. Thomas that permits parking on the driveway skirt between the sidewalk and road. She suggested on winter nights when snowplowing is required, drivers could be permitted to park on the skirt of their driveway. 'With multi-generational homes, smaller housing units and parking densities removed, this is an opportunity for people to be able to resolve some of the parking challenges [and] not face tickets during the winter months when there are restrictions,' she added. If council endorses the amended motion next week, staff would conduct the review and bring forward a report for the CAPS Committee meeting on Sept. 29.
Japan Times
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Times
Lawson to let visitors use larger parking lots as paid car campsites
Major convenience store operator Lawson said Monday it will begin renting out parking spaces at its outlets to allow visitors to use them as an overnight car campsite for ¥2,500 ($17) to ¥3,000 per night amid a rising number of inbound tourists in the country. In certain Lawson outlets across the country — mostly in rural areas where they have large parking lots — visitors will be able to book spaces and pay for them online. Upon arrival, visitors can check in at the store, where they will be able to rent power cord reels as well as use the bathroom. The service will begin at six stores in Chiba Prefecture starting July 14 and will slowly be rolled out to more outlets elsewhere. The company is looking to target rural areas where there are public bath houses nearby, but not many hotels or other types of accommodation. This is the first time that a convenience store operator is opening up its parking lots for overnight stays. Typically, customers are allowed to park their vehicles at convenience store parking lots while they do their shopping. Lawson is allowing each visitor to book a block of two adjacent parking spaces at a time, which would accommodate not just regular cars but also recreational vehicles. Parking rules at the Lawson outlets will be in accordance with those for RV parks, as set by the Japan Recreational Vehicle Association (JRVA). The new service comes amid a surge in inbound tourists that is making it harder to book hotels and inns as well as making such accommodations more expensive. In 2024, there were over 650 million overnight stayers — including both domestic and foreign visitors — in the country, up 5.3% from a year earlier, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Foreign nationals who stayed overnight jumped 38.9% year on year to hit some 137 million people in 2024. Lawson's service could come in handy when events such as live concerts are held in rural regions, where accommodation options are limited. It is not uncommon for visitors to camp out in the parking lots of convenience stores in their vehicles without permission. Lawson is looking to capitalize on this by allowing such visitors to stay for a fee. RVs are also becoming more popular in Japan. Last year saw the highest ownership of such vehicles, at 165,000, according to the JRVA. This is more than a threefold increase from 2005 when the association first started taking count. There are over 14,500 Lawson outlets across the country and while the service is only suitable for bigger stores with large parking lots, the expansion of the service would give out-of-town visitors an affordable alternative to conventional accommodations.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Brexit rules lead to surge in demand for campervan parking at beauty spots
A lobby group, the Campaign for Real Aires (Campra), is advocating for a significant increase in overnight parking options for campervans and motorhomes across the UK. The demand for domestic motorcaravan travel has surged due to post-Brexit rules limiting UK passport holders' stays in the Schengen area. A survey revealed that 88 per cent of motorcaravan users are dissatisfied with the current availability of overnight parking in desirable UK locations, despite spending an average of £51 daily in local businesses. Campra argues that providing more designated 'Aires' (stopping places) would generate revenue for local businesses and extend the tourist season, citing successful trials in places like Fleetwood. The call for more facilities comes as some local authorities, such as Hampshire County Council, have approved bans on overnight stays for these vehicles in certain beauty spots.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Brexit rules spark ‘clear demand' for more motorhome parking, lobby group says
More overnight parking options for campervans and motorhomes are needed in the UK to meet growing demand caused by post-Brexit travel restrictions, according to a lobby group. Boosting provision for these vehicles would generate more revenue for local businesses and increase the number of visitors to tourist destinations outside the peak summer season, the Campaign for Real Aires (Campra) said. Aires is a French word used to describe designated stopping places for motorcaravans – the collective term for motorhomes and campervans – which are much more common in continental Europe than the UK. Post-Brexit rules mean UK passport holders are prohibited from being in the Schengen area – which covers most of the European Union and some other European nations – for more than 90 days within a 180-day period. That means many UK-based motorcaravan users are seeking domestic destinations for overnight trips. But a survey of 6,731 users suggested 88% are dissatisfied with the UK's availability of overnight parking in desirable locations. The poll also indicated that motorcaravaners spend an average of £51 per day in local businesses and £23 per night on overnight parking or campsite fees. Many respondents commented on the UK's lack of infrastructure and welcoming attitude compared with continental Europe, Campra said. Last month, Hampshire County Council approved plans to ban campervans and motorhomes from staying overnight at the south coast beauty spot of Keyhaven, near Lymington. It claimed the move would 'bring order' to the area. Campra managing director Steve Haywood said welcoming motorcaravans to an area 'can be a hugely positive move'. He went on: 'There is a clear demand – emphasised by post-Brexit travel restrictions – for more overnight stay options in UK towns and cities, and those towns and cities could benefit hugely by embracing motorcaravans. 'More councils are seeing the benefits of providing facilities, instead of suffering the cost of enforcement and bans, not to mention the loss of potential revenue to businesses. 'In Fleetwood, Lancashire, for example, the introduction of overnight parking in the seafront car park for £5 per night has seen a huge boost in revenue for local shops, and has been so successful that additional facilities are now being planned for motorcaravanners. 'Every council that has operated a 12-month trial aire has been successful and made the overnight parking permanent.' Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figures show more than 416,000 motorcaravans are registered in the UK. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: 'Policies around overnight motorcaravan parking and the provision of facilities are a matter for local councils.'
The Independent
22-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Calls for change to motorhome rules after Brexit sparks ‘clear demand'
A lobby group is calling for a significant increase in overnight parking options for campervans and motorhomes across the UK, citing a surge in demand driven by post-Brexit travel restrictions. The Campaign for Real Aires (Campra) argues that boosting provision for these vehicles would not only generate more revenue for local businesses but also extend the tourist season beyond peak summer months. The term "Aires," a French word, refers to designated stopping places for motorcaravans – the collective term encompassing both motorhomes and campervans. Such facilities are a common sight across continental Europe, offering dedicated spaces for travellers, but remain far less prevalent in the UK. The push for more domestic facilities comes as new post-Brexit rules limit UK passport holders to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen area, which covers most of the European Union and several other European nations. This restriction is believed to be encouraging more UK residents to explore their own country in their recreational vehicles, increasing the need for suitable overnight parking infrastructure. That means many UK-based motorcaravan users are seeking domestic destinations for overnight trips. But a survey of 6,731 users suggested 88% are dissatisfied with the UK's availability of overnight parking in desirable locations. The poll also indicated that motorcaravaners spend an average of £51 per day in local businesses and £23 per night on overnight parking or campsite fees. Many respondents commented on the UK's lack of infrastructure and welcoming attitude compared with continental Europe, Campra said. Last month, Hampshire County Council approved plans to ban campervans and motorhomes from staying overnight at the south coast beauty spot of Keyhaven, near Lymington. It claimed the move would 'bring order' to the area. Campra managing director Steve Haywood said welcoming motorcaravans to an area 'can be a hugely positive move'. He went on: 'There is a clear demand – emphasised by post-Brexit travel restrictions – for more overnight stay options in UK towns and cities, and those towns and cities could benefit hugely by embracing motorcaravans. 'More councils are seeing the benefits of providing facilities, instead of suffering the cost of enforcement and bans, not to mention the loss of potential revenue to businesses. 'In Fleetwood, Lancashire, for example, the introduction of overnight parking in the seafront car park for £5 per night has seen a huge boost in revenue for local shops, and has been so successful that additional facilities are now being planned for motorcaravanners. 'Every council that has operated a 12-month trial aire has been successful and made the overnight parking permanent.' Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency figures show more than 416,000 motorcaravans are registered in the UK. A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said: 'Policies around overnight motorcaravan parking and the provision of facilities are a matter for local councils.'
