VAN STRIFE
‘There’s a war on caravans,’ locals fume as motorhome ban on beaches sparks warning ‘wrong people are being punished’
Find out the cheapest staycation parking spots in the UK
A BAN on motorhomes parking along several popular beaches has sparked complaints of a "war on caravans" from locals.
Threestaycation hotspotshave brought in tough new rules after noise complaints and safety concerns.
2
North YorkshireCouncil has announced a crackdown on campers along a network of beachfront routes.
A portion of the A174 near Whitby and seaside roads in Clayton Bay and Scarborough will be subject to the restrictions for the next 18 months at least.
Under the scheme, which has now been approved, drivers will bebanned from parkingovernight on the routes.
Anyone caught trying to sleep over by the sea could wake up to a hefty fine.
READ MORE MOTORS NEWS
The move was pushed through after several residents complained about nuisance parking, littering andbeach fires.
The restrictions will be introduced on a trial basis, but could be made permanent after six months, subject to a public consultation.
However, there are strong voices on both sides of the debate.
John Senior MBE, a small business owner and business community spokesman in Scarborough, toldGB News:"A standard large motorhome will take up two to three parking spaces, and there is a limited amount of parking of around 400 to 500 places.
Most read in Motors
"If they are taken up completely bymotorhomes,which they are, unfortunately, then there really isn't any way for our day trippers and people that want to come and enjoy the resort for a couple of hours or a few hours to actually use.
"On top of that, with thecampervans,we're turning the whole of that castle headland into afree camping site,and that's not what it's designed to be. "
Best of British: The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot reveals her favourite caravan cooking tips
Mr Senior was quick to emphasise that the town is "open to everybody" but said that some form ofparking controlwas very much necessary.
He stressed that the rules did not amount to the council "waging war against the campervan and motorhome community".
But motorhome owner Steve disagreed, claiming that the authority is directing its efforts in the wrong place.
He said: "The wrong people are getting punished.
"It's all the idiots that are coming in, cars that are racing up and down at night time, lighting fires, havingbarbecues.
"The people in the motorhomes aren't doing that.
"It's a waste of time, but as soon as the ban's in force, I won't be coming back."
He suggested that the council should instead focus on existing parking enforcement and fining poor driving.
Kelly and Dominic Clarke, who spent the bank holiday in their caravan in Scarborough, agreed, saying: "We are spending money here.
"People that stop overnight are going to go forbreakfastand drinks in the evening.
"It would put us off coming if we couldn't stop overnight."
Councillor Keane Duncan, North Yorkshire Council's Executive Member for Highways & Transportation, said: "One individual motorhome or campervan isn't a problem, but when you get tens, if not hundreds of these gathering in a particular location, that does create problems.
"They generate significant amounts of waste, as you can imagine andnoise disturbanceissues as well.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
"Obviously, there are safety implications for the campervan and motorhome owners themselves. We have had some fires reported.
"So this is about the safety of motorhome campervan owners, as well as the amenity for local residents."
2