Motorhome and caravan parking ban rolled out amid plans to crack down on tourist hotspots
WATCH: Motorhomes create 'huge problem' for the area, locals have warned
GB NEWS
Drivers have been warned that a motorhome and campervan ban has gone live across the North East impacting thousands of holidaymakers.
The ban issued by North Yorkshire Council was officially introduced on Tuesday after its initial launch in October and restricts parking overnight at three coastal sites.
The move comes in response to significant numbers of motorhomes gathering in tourist hotspots, affecting their appearance and provoking fears around public safety.
The imposed 18-month ban will be in place on the A174 Sandsend to Raithwaite, three miles north of Whitby, and on Royal Albert Drive in Scarborough’s North Bay.
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Council hoped the ban would stop the vehicles from clogging up the beaches and public areas
NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL
The ban is now in place between 11pm and 7am with both locations having on-street pay and display parking in operation during the daytime from March to October.
The third location is between Osgodby Hill and Filey Road in Cayton Bay, three miles south of Scarborough. Parking is unrestricted and free, with the road providing access to a privately run car park and the beach.
Councillor Keane Duncan, said: “We welcome motorhomes to North Yorkshire’s coast. However, we do need to take action to manage this due to the sheer volume of motorhomes now congregating in hotspot locations.
“The restrictions that are now in force are in response to an unprecedented level of complaints to the council and police. They also follow concerns for safety raised by the fire service.”
He did note that this is a trial as the council continues to seek views from local people and visitors to help inform a decision on whether to make the restrictions permanent.
In 2012, a temporary restriction on overnight parking was introduced on several streets along the seafront, including those included in the trial.
North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service advised that caravans should be parked six metres apart to prevent the spread of fire, which was a growing concern.
The service explained that it has received complaints and attended incidents of fires at the locations where the trial is now in place.
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The risk of injury is also higher at night when the owners are likely to be sleeping, the service warned. On authorised caravan and motorhome sites,pitches are spaced out according to fire regulations.
The council did acknowledge that the temporary measure could lead to motorhome owners parking on other unrestricted streets, adding that if the restrictions are made permanent, other locations will be considered.
While the ban aims to cut down on the number of vehicles disrupting the area, some residents were not happy with the council's plans.
A petition was launched shortly after the plans were revealed which called for the immediate removal of the ban citing the urgency of local businesses in the town.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Motorhomes and campervans have been banned from parking in the region
GETTYIt read: “If you push them out of town then they will either avoid Scarborough altogether or spend less time and less money in the town and on the seafront.
"Turn parts of Royal Albert Drive into an Aire and charge a modest amount per night up to let's say three nights at a time."
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