cravan parking

[commoner]

..I remember at one time in the uk at least when leaving a caravan on the road outside ones house was illegal, unless maybe it was connected to the towing vehicle. I now notice quite a number of these parked around the streets of my home town,at least one of which is used as a spare bedroom for casual visitors. and my question is...what is the position in law regarding this practice?

 Thanks for any replies.

[Mrs_Pegasus]

The law states: Caravans cannot be parked unhitched on the road without lights at night. They are not covered by the rules for cars. If you have to do this, you will need to arrange to power the legal lighting in some way other than from the car.

Why not contact your local council or Police and ask for their advice.  We have the same problem where we live although it is only one and the caravan is used as an additional bedroom and is parked in a pull in so is not actually on the highway but I am amazed that they string an extension cable over the footpath to power the van!

[Grunty]

It depends what is meant by a pull in, but if the cable is strung across the footpath, the caravan is probably on the highway.  The law of obstruction is quite complex, but it is helpful to think of the highway as being from one hedge/fence to the other, and the obstruction to be an unreasonable use of the highway, which this seems to be.

The law allowing cars and small vans to park without lights came out many years ago, in order for people to be suitably grateful in time for a forthcoming general election.  Before that time, many people found safe parking places for their cars.  As Mrs P says, the exemption does not apply to caravans or to lorries, coaches etc.

And of course, the cable is worthy of the attention of the authorities.