Motorhome and caravan parking ban could be removed as local council faces serious backlash

The petition, which has been discussed this week by the Scarborough and Whitby area constituency committee, urges to repeal its experimental ban on Royal Albert Drive.

Petitioners argue that the ban could harm local businesses, stating: "If you push the campervans out of town then they will either avoid Scarborough altogether or spend less time and less money in the town and on the seafront."

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The proposed restrictions have sparked debate about balancing tourism needs with residents' concerns over noise and safety issues in popular coastal areas.

The trial ban is set to commence on October 12 for an 18-month period, prohibiting overnight parking between 11am and 7pm.

While the petition focuses on Royal Albert Drive in Scarborough, the restrictions will also apply to Sandsend to Raithwaite, Osgodby Hill and Filey Road in Cayton Bay.

North Yorkshire Council has stated that following an initial six-month consultation period, the ban could be adjusted, made permanent, or potentially scrapped. The council emphasised that alternative options, such as introducing charges for overnight parking, were considered but deemed insufficient to address residents' concerns.

Fire safety has been highlighted as a particular worry, with the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service advising that caravans should be parked six metres apart to prevent fire spread.

The petition, which attracted over 500 local signatures, proposes alternative solutions to the ban.

One suggestion included transforming parts of Royal Albert Drive into an “Aire”, a designated motorhome parking area common in continental Europe. This would involve charging a modest fee for overnight stays, limited to three nights at a time.

Petitioners also advocate for enforcing restrictions on tents, fires, and barbecues, which they argue "obviously belong on a campsite". They proposed making the parking accessible for "decent-sized campers and RVs".

Several campervan visitors have distanced themselves from the issues raised by residents, stating they are not responsible for tents, fires, and littering. The petition emphasises the need to balance local concerns with the economic benefits of motorhome tourism.

North Yorkshire Council's executive member for highways, Councillor Keane Duncan, emphasised that the council is not "waging war against campervans and motorhomes".

He said: "We welcome them to our coastal communities and we don't want them to be deterred but we also want them to come and visit in a managed, organised, and safe way and that is the guiding principle of what we're trying to do."

Duncan added that while he agrees with the proposed action, he is "very much prepared for us to take further action to deal with the issues".

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The council has advised local businesses to share their views on the scheme's effects on trade during the consultation opening on October 21.

The council noted: “All highway aspects pertaining to the overnight parking of motor caravans were considered in a report to the Corporate Director Environment and Executive Member for Highways and Transportation on August 9.

"North Yorkshire Council 4.2 The issues and complaints received by the council, police and fire authorities were weighed up and a decision was taken to proceed with an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, trialling a prohibition of overnight park.”

The council is expected to reveal its decision on the parking ban petition soon.