Motorhome and campervan drivers could see coastal ban made permanent under new proposals

A ban on overnight motorhome parking along parts of the North Yorkshire coast could soon be made permanent, despite thousands of objections.

North Yorkshire Council introduced an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order in November 2024 to stop campervans and motorhomes from parking between 11pm and 7am at North Bay in Scarborough and on the A174 near Sandsend.

A third site at Cayton Bay was included, but due to the road signs being repeatedly vandalised, proper enforcement stopped.

With the temporary order set to run out on May 25, councillors will decide whether to replace it with a permanent ban.

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The council said the original reason for the order was safety and the protection of the area, with the basis for the move being "for preventing the likelihood of any such danger arising" and "for preserving or improving the amenities of the area".

Complaints about overnight parking also rose sharply during the Covid pandemic, prompting the council to act. In 2020, the council said complaints about vehicles staying for long periods "reached an unprecedented level".

Parking surveys were conducted over the Early May Bank Holiday weekend in 2024 and recorded 210 vehicles staying overnight across three locations.

Of those, 76 were motorhomes, while 78 appeared to be small campervans, and 29 were vans. Council officers said motorhomes were welcome during the day, but overnight stays cause problems.

The report stated: "Motor caravans are as welcome at seafront parking locations as any other vehicle in the daytime. But extended stays, which usually include overnight parking, restrict the ability of other visitors to find suitable parking."

It also detailed how, when many motorhomes park together, "the character of the streets can change to resemble a campsite".

Officers reported seeing families and friends sitting outside in portable chairs and using the highway as a social space, which they said interferes with other users.

Fire safety was another key concern, which prompted the ban. The council said the Fire Authority "has received several complaints and attended incidents on the Marine Drive/Royal Albert Drive and has concerns with regard to fire spread".

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Official campsite rules stated that vehicles should be parked six metres apart to stop fires spreading, although this cannot be controlled on a public road.

The report warned how most motorhomes carry liquified petroleum gas and that "at night, the occupants of motor caravans are at more risk as they are likely to be sleeping".

Despite this, the consultation brought strong opposition, with more than 3,000 responses received. The council admitted that there was an "overwhelming response to the consultation objecting to the ETRO".

Over two-thirds of respondents said they were motorhome owners, with 90 per cent objecting to or strongly objecting to the parking ban.

Owners of larger vehicles argued that motorhome visitors support the local economy with 2,049 responses mentioning spending money in local shops, cafes and attractions.

A further 1,149 people suggested that, instead of a blanket ban, the council could introduce a small overnight fee, usually between £5 and £15.

Meanwhile, 937 respondents said motorhomes were not "unsightly" and did not increase litter. However, not everyone opposed the ban.

The council said it will be considering other options, such as marking out individual bays at Sandsend or charging for overnight parking. Officers said charging would not solve the main problems and "could result in exacerbating the existing adverse impacts on amenity".

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