Scarborough – readers on motorhome parking ban sign vandals

​​The proposed introduction of a permanent order prohibiting the overnight parking of motor caravans in Sandsend and North Bay in Scarborough has divided coastal councillors.

​​It comes as an “overwhelming” portion of responses to North Yorkshire Council’s (NYC) consultation on its Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) objected to the scheme.

​At a meeting in Whitby last week, councillors said the scheme had successfully addressed issues caused by an “unacceptable level” of motorhomes using certain streets, including impacts on visual amenity and safety.

​However, since its introduction, thousands of residents have reportedly also complained about the “displacement effects” of the order.

​​Cllr Roberta Swiers, who represents Cayton, said the trial had “obviously not been a success” and recounted how signs notifying motorhome users of the ban were ripped down.

​​“The signs that were put up were ripped down within hours and thrown over the cliff,” she told a meeting of the Scarborough and Whitby Area Committee.

​​“So think of the cost of those alone, to be put up and cemented in, only for the same thing to happen before the cement dried, with the signs thrown down the cliffs again. It’s actually vandalism.”

​​Readers had their say in the comments section of The Press website.

​David Gibson said: “There’s no need for a ban, traffic wardens need training to check habitation checks, and that a vehicle is factory built for the purpose intended of overnight parking.”

​Simon Jones said: “Sadly, councils are all too often so intent on restricting campers and motorbikes that they lose sight of the freedom these recreational vehicles are bringing to their owners.

​“The majority of people using this form of ‘getting away’ do so with good intentions, sadly, the businesses running organised sites seem to lobby against free pitches in order to hike their tariffs up. The majority of campers are either retired, young families or even disabled folk.

​“They are not trouble-causers, just people trying to live their lives the best they can.”

​Janice Gray said: “There are plenty of campsites around and about, but of course, they’d have to pay to park there.

​“If only York had free parking at just a couple of places, how good would that be!”

​Snowflake spotter said: “As a start, all camper vans that are parking overnight, outside of commercial camping sites anywhere in the UK, should have a ‘Green Warrant’ like New Zealand, i.e. a fixed, certified toilet that can hold three days’ waste.

​“Before some van-lifers object, they can go blame a large percentage of their number who defecate and urinate al fresco.”

​Reacting to the news that motorhome parking ban signs were thrown ‘over the cliff within hours’ in Cayton, Pfmaximus89 stated: “It’s disingenuous to blame motorhome people. I have seen local youths in town vandalising property.”

​Britain is broken replied: “Caravan and camper van owners have a lot in common with dog owners. 100 per cent selfish.”