Motorhome and caravan overnight ban swings ‘majority’ ruling amid ‘really strong feelings’ for restrictions

The decision came during a meeting at Morecambe Town Hall, where councillors debated the growing issue of motorhomes parking on the Promenade and in council-operated car parks.

While Labour councillors initially proposed an outright ban, the final motion was amended to "consider" restrictions rather than immediately enforcing them.

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The move follows what has been described as the "biggest complaint" among local residents, with widespread anger about campervans using the Promenade as a makeshift campsite.

At the meeting the council ultimately passed a three-point resolution to address the campervan issue in Morecambe.

The motion commits to engaging with partner organisations, including Lancashire County Council, Morecambe Town Council and Lancashire Constabulary, to seek a ban on overnight Promenade parking.

It also requires the council to consider implementing a ban for overnight parking across all Lancaster City Council car parks in Morecambe specifically for campervans and motorhomes. The third point establishes a working group with partner organisations to explore alternative locations for campervan and motorhome users within the district.

All councillors supported the motion except Conservative members, who abstained from the vote.Labour Councillor Margaret Pattison, who brought the motion, emphasised that the intention was "not to stop campervans and statics visiting Morecambe, it's to stop overnight parking on the highways and in our car parks, for environmental health".

"For many decades tourists have visited our resort for the stunning beauty and views across Morecambe Bay," she told the council meeting.

She highlighted that some vehicles were "staying for six months at a time" on the Promenade. "After the summer we've had, we just can't have this any more," Pattison said. "We've had so many complaints. It looks a mess."

She argued that overnight parking between 8pm and 8am should be prohibited, stating that “there's nothing in Morecambe after 11pm, there is no need for campervans and statics to park on Morecambe Promenade".

Meanwhile, councillor Claire Cozler highlighted serious concerns about public health and safety on the Promenade. "I've seen people cooking on the Promenade, I have seen people emptying chemical toilets on the Promenade. It's not pleasant. It's not hygienic," she warned.

She noted that cooking with gas appliances on the roadside violated existing bylaws and posed safety risks. Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Hart flagging the urgency of the situation explaining that there are “really strong feelings about this and anger about it everywhere".

But Roger Dennison of the Morecambe Bay Independents raised concerns about potential revenue loss and displacement of vehicles to other areas. Green Party Councillor Gina Dowding explained that implementing restrictions would require formal Traffic Regulation Orders.

She noted that similar discussions had taken place two years earlier, with county authorities reluctant to fund such measures.

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The issue is further complicated by the upcoming Eden Project Morecambe, according to Conservative Councillor Andrew Gardiner. "Until Eden's road systems are approved, the county council won't spend any money on TROs. That's a fact," he said.

Dowding also pointed out that alternative options already exist in the area with 72 campervan parking sites in the district. "Hundreds and hundreds of spaces for people to go, but they have to pay."